A celebratory dinner had been organised in Bethany! Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, was alive because Jesus had called him out of the tomb (John 11:43-44). So Jesus was the Guest of Honour, Lazarus was at the table, his sister Martha served the food and Mary had planned a special surprise for Jesus. She had about half a litre of very special perfume, a fragrant oil from the Nard plant. During the dinner, Mary broke open the bottle and poured the pungent oil over Jesus' feet, then dried His feet with her hair. The fragrance filled the house. It was Mary's way of saying that she was Jesus' servant (only servants touched the feet of guests) and that He was more valuable than the most precious thing she owned. It was her way of worshipping Jesus, Son of God; the Life-giver.
By contrast, Judas Iscariot (the traitor who would later betray Jesus (John 18:2-3)) complained. He was the treasurer: looking after the money people gave to Jesus, using it to buy food and give to the poor. But he was also a thief, helping himself to the money. All Judas could see was all the very expensive perfume going to waste. He pretended that it could have been sold and given to the poor. But he had no real interest in anyone's welfare other than his own. He did not honour or love Jesus. And so Judas could not see the value of worship, even when it was right in front of his nose.
Mary's sacrifice was Judas' waste. She gave the most costly thing she had to honour Jesus. Judas wanted the money for himself. What a contrast, but both were expressions of worship. Judas honoured himself but Mary gave of her best to honour the Giver of Life. Today, God is watching to see who we consider to be the most valuable, ourselves or Him. Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." True worship of God comes from a grateful heart and is expressed in an eagerness for the Lord to have the best of what we can give. Perhaps today's message will help us to reconsider how much we really do love Jesus, or whether our religion is masking our greed and self-pleasure.
The Value Of Worship
John 12:1-6
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (NIV)
Prayer
Lord God. Thank You that You always distinguish real worship from self-pleasing. Forgive me when I hide behind a spiritual mask in order to satisfy myself. Please help me to value Your love for me, in forgiving me and bringing me into Your family. May I freshly determine to worship You with all I have because I love and follow Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
Bible Book
© Dr Paul Adams
