She galloped into the room filled with men. All eyes watched as she melted to the floor in front of him. Her hands cradled a small jar filled with a year’s worth of wages in perfume. Completely devoted, she broke the alabaster jar and began pouring the expensive perfume onto his feet. As the aroma filled the house, disgust filled the hearts and mouths of those questioning her wasteful decision. A loving but firm, serious but sincere, voice broke the awkward tension of the room.
This one external act of selfless worship (found in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-11) revealed an inward deficiency in others.
1 | DEVOTION TO GOD WILL REQUIRE ACTS OF SURRENDER
Can you picture the scene?
Here was a dinner, to honor Jesus, not long before His crucifixion. The disciples and others reclined at the table as Martha served. In true Martha fashion, of course! In walks Mary, Martha’s younger sister, who was often found at her Maker’s feet, holding a small jar. While the precious alabaster jar held a high price, someone of greater value held Mary’s heart. Mary knew, He alone was worthy of her richest gains. Worthy of her greatest devotion, regardless of the cost.
Only when we take the most precious areas of our lives of invaluable worth and lay them at the Master’s feet, do we have the divine opportunity to watch as His beautiful aroma fills our hearts. Let me as you, what alabaster jars do you need to lay at His feet? Perhaps a hobby, job, dreams, relationship, desires, a situation, or maybe loved ones.
Friend, the cost of complete devotion to God might be high, but the cost of not being devoted is even higher.
2 | DEVOTION TO GOD WILL COST THE OPINION OF OTHERS
Can you see the disgusted disciples?
I find it ironic that such a sweet display of surrender would bring such indignation to those who walked the streets with Jesus. Those who witnessed Jesus give sight to the blind, voice to the mute, sound to the deaf, wholeness to the leaper, silenced the storms, cleansed the sick, rebuked the demons, multiplied food, and raised the dead to life “rebuked her harshly”. In a society where women held little authority and were considered inferior to men, her devotion had bitter outward consequences.
Just like Mary, our acts of surrender require bravery. When we are willing to be viewed as crazy by the world, we are freed to display the kind of worship He desires and commends.
3 | DEVOTION TO GOD REQUIRES DEPENDENCE ON HIM AS OUR DEFENSE
Can He be your defense?
Of the three places her story is told, I love that she is not recorded as saying one word. Not once, did she spout off out of self-preservation or defend her pure motives. Hold my tongue, O’ Lord, because I am surely not her! Often, probably more times than not, I am quick to defend my actions and motives. Not Mary. She relied on her only source of defense. “Let her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me”, Jesus responded. He, who did not defend himself, stands to defend us.
When we choose to release our “right” to defend, we find shelter under His wing, strength from the Rock, and comfort from our Friend.
4 | THE REWARD OF A LIFE DEVOTED TO GOD IS A LASTING LEGACY
Can He be your reward?
Jesus not only defended her, but He also crowned her action of worship. “Wherever this gospel is preached through the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Her story of faithful devotion is still a testimony today. Albeit, our stories might not spread throughout the world, ages later, but they will be told in our families and circle of friends. What will our legacy be? Will it tell of His glory and speak of His faithfulness? Declare His goodness and reflect our complete yielding? This is the story I want to leave! Because, when we release our stories to Him, we pick up a lasting legacy!
Father, thank you for Mary’s story of worship and devotion. We pour out our lives at your feet in complete surrender. May your beautiful aroma fill our hearts, flow from our mouths and bless your lost and hurting world. Protect our hearts from becoming like the disciples, who scorned another believer’s form of worship. Jesus, you are our only Righteous Defender. Give us willing hearts to abandon this right and walk in complete humility to you and those you have called us to serve. Fixate our eyes on you, our Deliver, as we walk out every part of our lives so, we too, leave a lasting legacy of love. Invade our hearts with your matchless love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen!
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Encouraging,we need to break ourselves for the Lord Jesus.who is the our defender.