Just before Passover we find Jesus in Bethany. There is a party and He is the guest of honor. From a cross-reading of the gospel accounts we find that some of the other people present consisted of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simon the Leper and various disciples including Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him).
At this party we find a woman (Mary), who demonstrates extravagant worship of Jesus! Why would she do this? I mean there are many other people around, but she doesn't seem to even acknowledge them. To her it's all about Jesus. Understanding that Mary is the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus just raised from the dead (Jn. 11:38-44), we can begin to get a glimpse of why Mary is acting the way she is. She sees Jesus as Lord and worthy of worship. This heart of worship Mary demonstrates is also found in the story of Mary and Martha where Martha invites Jesus into her home and becomes distracted with the preparations while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening to His words (Lk. 10:38-42). Mary is a worshiper! Mary is a Jesus lover!
This outpouring of worship from Mary's heart is contrasted with the irritated reaction the disciples demonstrated (specifically Judas) when they questioned her stewardship of this costly perfume (Mk. 14:4-5). They scolded her for her expression of worship. Jesus however felt quite different about her sacrifice.
I think Mary understood what was about to happen to Jesus. She anointed His body beforehand for burial (v.8). She had obviously been transformed by Jesus. And as a result of this transformation she expressed her worship in a beautiful way (v.6b).
I wonder myself if I am living a life like Mary lived her life. Am I expressing my worship to Jesus while others are simply reclining at the table or complaining about money? Does my worship even come close to resembling what Jesus would call a beautiful thing?
I heard C.J. Mahaney preach on this passage recently and he asked the question, "Are you still skipping?" You see sometimes we allow ourselves to loose the passion our worship once possessed. C.J. urged us that when this happens we must get close enough to the cross to hear the cries of the cross! Remember what Jesus did for us! Remember that he poured out his blood for our sins! Remember the cries of the cross. The things Jesus cried out as he took the weight of the world's sins on himself! This is the gospel! Jesus saves! Jesus redeems! Jesus loves! We are living in a world where people are going to hell. It's true! We can help...
Are we living our lives in a way that demonstrates beautiful worship of Jesus? Who do we look like to the people we are with everyday?
Mary or Judas?
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