Extravagant Worship: Love Without Measure
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume is a striking picture of true worship—worship that holds nothing back, knowing that no offering is too great for the One who has given us everything. In pouring out her expensive nard, she demonstrated a heart fully captivated by the worth of Christ. Her worship was not calculated or restrained; it was an outpouring of love and gratitude, uninhibited by cultural expectations or the opinions of others.
Mary had seen firsthand the power of Jesus—she had sat at His feet, listening to His words, and she had witnessed Him call her brother, Lazarus, out of the tomb. Her worship was not driven by obligation but by revelation—a deep awareness of who Jesus was and what He had done. Unlike Judas, who saw only the price of the perfume, Mary saw the pricelessness of the Savior. She understood that anything given to Him was never wasted.
There is something striking about how John describes the fragrance of the perfume filling the house. True worship—genuine, selfless devotion—has an aroma that cannot be contained. Just as the scent of Mary's offering permeated the room, so does a life fully surrendered to Christ impact everyone around it. Worship is not merely a song or a routine but a heart responding in love to the One who has first loved us.
Imagine an artist who, after years of refining their craft, takes their most treasured painting and gifts it freely—not because they must, but because they are moved by love. The value of the gift does not diminish in the giving; rather, it finds its highest purpose when it is offered without reserve. So it is with worship. When we pour out our lives before Christ, we are not losing—we are acknowledging that He is worthy of all.
Mary’s act reminds us that worship is costly—not in the sense of effort or striving, but in the sense that it is the natural response of a heart that no longer clings to lesser things. It does not count the expense; it simply delights in honoring Him. The question is never whether we are giving too much, but rather whether we have truly seen the infinite worth of the One to whom we give.
Practical Applications
Offer Worship Freely: Do not let the opinions of others dictate your devotion. Worship Christ with the fullness of your heart.
Recognize His Worth: Reflect on what Jesus has done in your life, and let gratitude be the foundation of your worship.
Live as a Fragrant Offering: Let your devotion to Christ be evident—not just in words but in the way you love, serve, and give.
Hold Nothing Back: True worship means surrendering all—our time, our affections, our resources—knowing that He is infinitely worthy.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, we rejoice in the privilege of knowing You and offering our hearts fully in worship. Thank You for revealing the beauty of Your Son, who alone is worthy of all we have and all we are. We trust You to fill our lives with the fragrance of Christ, that our devotion to Him would reflect His love to the world. May we worship with the same abandon that Mary displayed, not counting the cost but delighting in the joy of honoring You. Amen.
Final Thought
True worship is not measured by what we give, but by the love that compels us to give. When we see Christ for who He is, our response can only be extravagant devotion.
(Credit: Insights drawn from Immeasurably More, "Extravagant Worship")