This sermon explores the true meaning of worship through Mary's act of anointing Jesus, emphasizing selfless devotion and recognition of the divine over material concerns.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a privilege to gather here today, in this sanctuary of shared faith and fellowship, to delve into the profound mysteries and wonders of God's Word.
As we gather here today, we are reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t." This statement, simple yet profound, underscores the necessity of immersing ourselves in the Word of God, not just as a ritual, but as a life-giving source of strength, wisdom, and guidance.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of John, chapter 12, verses 1-8: "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. 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. 'Leave her alone,' Jesus replied. 'It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.'"
In this passage, we encounter a profound act of worship, a manifestation of love and devotion that transcends the material and touches the divine.
But before we delve deeper into these truths, let's bow our heads and hearts in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for your love and mercy that are new every morning. As we open your Word today, we ask for your Holy Spirit to guide us, to give us wisdom and understanding. May the truths we uncover today enrich our lives, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Worship, in its truest form, is not about grand gestures or public displays. It is about the heart. It is about love and devotion that is so deep, so profound, that it compels us to give our best, our all, to the One we worship.
Mary's act of worship was not without its critics. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, objected to what he saw as a waste of resources. He argued that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus defended Mary's act. He recognized it for what it was - a beautiful act of worship, a heartfelt expression of love and devotion.
Mary's act of worship was also about humility. She did not pour the perfume on Jesus' head, as was the custom. She poured it on His feet. And she did not use a cloth to wipe His feet. She used her hair. This was an act of deep humility. It was a recognition of her place before Jesus, a recognition of His lordship and her servanthood.
Mary's act of worship was a response to Jesus' love. Jesus had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. He had shown her and her family unimaginable love and mercy. And Mary's act of worship was her response to that love. It was her way of saying, "I love you, too. I recognize your worthiness. I honor you with my life."
Consider also that it was foreshadowing Jesus' death. Jesus said that she had saved the perfume for the day of His burial. This was a prophetic act, a recognition of the sacrifice that Jesus was about to make. It was a recognition of the cost of our salvation, the price that Jesus was willing to pay for our sins.
Mary's act of worship was a challenge to us. It challenges us to examine our own acts of worship. Are they expressions of our love for Jesus? Do they recognize His worthiness? Are they a response to His love for us? Are they a recognition of the cost of our salvation? Are they a challenge to live our lives in a way that honors Him?
The willingness to give without counting the cost is a critical aspect of worship ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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