Waste or Worship?

“She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Mark 14:8-9 ESV

Mary of Bethany came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard. This ointment was very costly. When she broke the flask and poured it over Jesus’ head, there were some who took it upon themselves to challenge her actions. “Why was the ointment wasted like that?” they questioned. “This ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor.”

Jesus reprimanded the critics by clarifying that her actions were an act of worship – anointing Him beforehand for burial – an act that wouldn’t be fully understood until Jesus died and rose from the grave.

It is a sad fact that there are always a few individuals who will question or challenge our actions. “Why did you?” “Why didn’t you?” But God assures us that, if our intent is pure and our actions are performed out of love for God, then He will honor us and honor our gifts to His glory.

Prayer: Lord, may all that we say and do be motivated by love. Silence those contentious and quarrelsome voices that would seek to distract or stop us from fulfilling those acts of worship that honor you. May our worship be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Thought: Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship  – Rick Warren