Devotional: Extravagant Worship

A feast has been thrown for the one who raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is back in town and his disciples and friends have called the feast in his honor. It’s at this gathering that something unexpected happens. Mary, the one who has consistently been humble at Jesus feet, finds herself worshipping him in an extravagant way— pouring out nearly a pound of very costly perfume on his feet. The nature of her worship is costly, selfless and fragrant. Her bold love for Jesus, as we will see in the coming weeks, stands in stark contrast against someone who is on the verge of betraying Jesus, the Son of God.

Questions for Meditation

1. There is a sense in which Mary’s extravagant worship is something that cannot be taught to a disciple. It is merely an instinctive response and reaction to the one who raised her brother from the dead. Begin your reflection by meditating on the God who not only raises people from the dead but took upon death for us so that we would never have to die. Seeing him higher is the only base for worshipping him extravagantly.

2. Why was Mary able to pour out the nard, worth almost a years wages, on Jesus’ feet?

3. What keeps you from getting lost with wonder and amazement in worship?

4. Does your worship confront people in the best way? Do people take note that you have been in the presence of God and have worshipped him?

5. Mary’s posture is one of humility, and one that shows Jesus’ supreme worth. How does our bodily posture correlate and effect our inward posture and attitude toward God?

6. Mary is first found sitting and learning from Jesus at his feet. Then she is found bowing and weeping at his feet. And finally she is found kneeling and worshipping at his feet. God increasingly communicates his character and will to people who worship him with self-abandon. Where are you in this process today?

7. What physical space (e.g. your kitchen, car, workspace, etc.) will you turn into a place of worship this week?