A week before Jesus’ betrayal, suffering and death, Mary (sister of
Martha and Lazarus) carries out this incredible act of humble worship: she
pours expensive perfume (worth more than an year’s wages!) on Jesus’ feet
(washing feet was a servile role) and wipes it away with her hair (for a woman
to have her hair down was very undignified).
Mary was filled with love for Christ. He had raised her brother from
death and given her hope in this life and the next. For Mary it was an act of loving,
humble gratitude; but it was also an act that was orchestrated by God to
declare something monumental: Jesus says “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my
burial” – it was an act of worship before His suffering and death.
Judas disingenuously complains, “Why
wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” He sounds very good,
very spiritual, at the time he looking better than Mary! But it is Mary with
her generous humble worship who is pleasing to Jesus.
Worship expresses the worth of something or someone. Mary was expressing something of the worth of Jesus. But this worship is something that has roots, her expression of generous worship is the result of what God has poured into her first. None of us can have a growing worship life if we are not allowing God to pour fresh oil into us.
What is the oil that God wants to pour into us?
2) Gratitude: Mary was grateful at the raising of Lazarus, her brother. How is your thanksgiving?
3) A new attitude to wealth: John 12:7. Jesus makes it clear that this expensive
perfume had been intended, by God, for this occasion. All that we have is a gift from Him and to be used to serve Him.
4) The gospel of grace: John 12:7-8 shows that she knew that Jesus was about to die. No doubt, as she sat at Jesus' feet, she He would have spoken about His death for sin. Meditating on the gospel of grace every day will cause us to overflow with worship.
5) The Holy Spirit: Not specifically mentioned in this episode, but we need the Spirit's grace to grow in worship (see John 4:13-14)
"Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
So let's not be dry and empty! Let's be those who allow God to pour fresh oil into us so that we will pour out our lives in worship for Him.
You can listen to this message at,
Going deeper
– Personal daily study notes on 12:1-8
Monday: Remember
the miracles
Read John 12:1-2. This act of
anointing Jesus with oil in partly inspired by her gratitude over the miracle
of Lazarus. God has answered many prayers, provided in many ways, saved us from
mistakes, taught us lessons, gave us new life in Christ… Let’s be generous with
our thankfulness every day.
Spend some time in thanking God today for the various things that come
to mind. Make it a plan to make gratitude a part of your everyday life.
Tuesday: Gratitude releases us to be generous
Read John 12:3. Mary’s act
cost her a year’s wages and the security that she would of felt by having such
an asset. When we recall God’s goodness, particularly as it is seen in the
cross and our salvation by grace, we are released from fear; we begin to overflow
with lavish worship and become generous in every area of our lives.
Spend time meditating on and thanking God out of Titus 3:4-5
Wednesday: Dealing
with bad reactions
Read John 12:4-6. Sometimes people will misunderstand or react
badly to our worship. A family member or a friend may see your generous worship,
the giving of time, money, career prospects… as foolish or even dangerous.
Sometimes people, even loved ones, will react badly to your love for
Jesus. Make it your aim to please Him.
Thursday: Let
Jesus defend you
Read John 12:7. Jesus
defends Mary. He is pleased with her, even if others are not.
Read what he says about her in Mark 14:6-9. What she did was beautiful
and will be famous! Let’s serve God and leave our reputation with Jesus; be
content to live for His pleasure.
Are you more focussed on people’s judgement of you than you are of
God’s?
Friday: God
has a plan for me and my stuff
Read John 12:7.
Jesus makes it clear that this expensive perfume had been intended, by God, for
this occasion. Sometimes we can be clear that God has a plan or our lives but
fail to see that He also has a plan for our stuff! All that we have are gifts
from Him, to serve His purposes.
Take a moment to
rededicate yourself and all that you have to God.
Saturday: There are always too many important things to do
Read John 12:7-8.
Serving the needs of the poor is very important; but at
this point, it was important for Mary to be generous in her worship. There are
many good things pulling for our limited time and resources. Try to do each
important thing: working, resting, playing, romance, worship, serving the poor…
with full attention, without guilt, serving God in each important thing in it’s
turn.
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