Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Happy Tuesday! Today, we are in store for a passage of scripture that is one of my personal favorites! Let’s dive right on in this morning!

When we open up our Bibles to John 12, we find Jesus and His disciples at a dinner at the house of Mary and Martha to honor Jesus for the miracle He had just performed! Lazarus was alive, food and drinks were being passed around, and everyone was reclined at the dinner table. All of a sudden, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, got up, poured a pint of her expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, and used her hair to wipe His feet. Scripture goes on to tell us that the fragrance of the perfume filled the air in the house!

Did you know that in the first century, this amount of perfume would have been the equivalent of an entire year’s wages? Did you also know that when a young woman reached the age of availability for marriage, her parents would purchase an expensive perfume, oil, or ointment? This would act as the girl’s dowry that she would break at the feet of the man coming to ask for her hand in marriage.

Not only was Mary sacrificing something that was of monetary value, but she was also pouring out her honor and adoration on Jesus instead of a husband. Mary was essentially walking away from the possibility of getting married to anoint Jesus’ feet with this nard! In a culture where a woman’s sole purpose was to marry so she could give her husband a son, Mary’s actions broke social norms and probably brought much criticism. Not to mention, she used her own hair to wipe Jesus’ feet! But Mary didn’t care! Her heart and mind were fixed on honoring the Lord with what she had to give Him. A costly sacrifice.

What is so beautiful about this story is that it not only shows us what sacrificial worship looks like but also its impact on the world around us. At the end of verse 3, it says, “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” When I read this passage of scripture, I picture the air thick with the sweet smell of the perfume. How amazing that moment must have been.

Does the way you worship Jesus bless others? Do you leave people and places better than you found them? Have you had to sacrifice something to worship Jesus with your life? As a church family, let’s bring our costly offerings before the Lord! Let’s worship Him!

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.