Have you ever been so captivated by a moment that everything else faded away? The worries of yesterday, the uncertainties of tomorrow—all dissolved in the awe of what was right in front of you? Perhaps it was a breathtaking sunrise, the first steps of a child, or a melody so moving it brought tears to your eyes. In those moments, time stands still, and we are fully present, overwhelmed by beauty and wonder.
In Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8, we encounter Mary of Bethany in one of those sacred moments. She isn’t calculating the cost of her actions or worrying about the opinions of others. She is wholly focused on Jesus, so captivated by His presence that she responds with an act of extravagant love. She breaks open a jar of perfume worth a year’s wages and pours it over Jesus’ feet. To some, it seemed wasteful. To Jesus, it was beautiful.
Mary’s act teaches us that true worship emerges from a heart so overwhelmed by love and awe that it cannot help but pour itself out. It’s not about practicality or calculation; it’s about surrender. Judas, focused on the monetary value of the perfume, questioned the act. But Mary saw something far greater—she saw Jesus. She understood that this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment to honor Him before His death.
Worship, at its core, redefines value. What the world sees as excessive, Jesus sees as eternal. Mary’s perfume, valuable by earthly standards, became an offering of immeasurable worth in the presence of Christ. Her act reminds us that worship is not about what we lose but about what we gain—a deeper understanding of what truly matters.
When we worship, we move from possession to surrender. Mary didn’t just give up her perfume; she surrendered her sense of security, her attachment to earthly treasures. In doing so, she gained something far greater—a moment of eternal significance. Worship transforms us, reorienting our hearts away from temporary things and toward what lasts forever.
So, what does this mean for us? Worship is not confined to a Sunday morning or a song. It’s a way of life—a response to the overwhelming love and worth of Jesus. It’s about seeing Him clearly and letting that vision reshape our priorities, our values, and our hearts.
Mary’s story challenges us to ask: What are we holding onto? Are we willing to pour out our best, our most valuable, at the feet of Jesus? True worship may look wasteful to the world, but to those who see Jesus for who He truly is, it is the most beautiful and meaningful act of all.
May we, like Mary, be so captivated by Christ that our worship becomes an extravagant offering of love—one that transforms us and brings glory to His name.
