Alabaster
Today we are going to take a look at what it looks like to worship Jesus with everything you have. We are going to look at a story in the gospel of John, when Jesus is anointed with oil at Bethany, from an alabaster jar (perfume vase), in preparation for His burial.
I encourage you to pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal your heart’s truest desires as you begin this devotional.
What do you treasure? Deep down, what are you willing to spend to obtain that treasure?
Take a moment to read these verses in John… meditate, journal, and reflect.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
John 12:1-8
Here is a picture of Mary treasuring Jesus. She was willing to spend all the money in the world to obtain her heart’s true treasure. This was an indulgent act of worship, that showed how much she loved Jesus. She poured out her greatest possession on earth to honor Him. Her perspective was eternal, not earthly. Jesus says, “she has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6).
We also see a picture of Judas’s selfishness, as he questions Mary’s actions. He says, “why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii (equivalent to a year’s wages) and given to the poor?” This came from his failure to have an eternal perspective. He believed that having money (the worth of the ointment) would make him happier than having Jesus. He didn’t see the value in pouring such expensive oil on Jesus. His flesh led them to believe that earthy possessions were worth far more than eternal treasures.
It is important to note that Judas’s intentions were anything but pure. Jesus says in these verses, that he didn’t actually care about the poor, and that he was a thief. Jesus’ response to Judas alludes to Deuteronomy 15:11, which says, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” He is not discouraging helping the poor, rather he is calling Judas out and making a statement about his impending death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension.
Jesus wants us to “waste” our lives, just like Mary “wasted” her perfume. This is what true worship looks like. He wants us to live a life that counts worldly gain as loss, displaying how truly precious He is to us. Jesus said, “Whoever loves his life loses it. And whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). This means counting worldly gain as nothing, so you may have eternal gain.
If anyone tells you to quiet your love for Jesus, I urge you not to listen. There is something so sweet and profound when we affectionately worshiping the King of Kings. He deserves our praise and worship—nothing less.
Reflection Question: Who is telling you that you are wasting your life by worshiping? Is it the world, or is it Jesus? Now, whose opinion is your greatest influence?
Today’s Worship Song: Alabaster — Rend Collective
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJsLcwScEDA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/112AxPrlYmdVQHMMrn6UNk?si=Md9JqJ5PSKaQTfSCVCmLSw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/alabaster/599071501?i=599071754
I pray we would all would empty the alabaster jars of our hearts, and indulgently worship Jesus today.
I have loved receiving prayer requests from you. Please continue to send them my way! My email is: blrich1399@gmail.com
With Love,
Brooke
