The Price of Worship

John 12: 1-11.

The Apostle John has now finished his narrative of the events of Jesus’ public ministry.

Chapter 12 is the final section referred to as “The Book of Signs (or Miracles)”

In this chapter John details three significant events leading up to Passover.

1- Mary anointing Jesus with oil

2- The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

3- The Greeks attending Passover and their visit with Jesus

For today, we will begin with Mary’s anointing of Jesus.

In this passage, we witness a powerful act of worship by Mary as she anoints Jesus with a costly perfume, highlighting the sacrificial nature of true worship and the reactions it provokes

As Christians we should be evaluating the cost of their worship and service to Christ, considering what sacrifices we are willing to make for Him amidst societal pressures or judgments.

Genuine worship often requires sacrifice and our acts of devotion should reflect our love for Christ, regardless of the opinions of others.

This passage points to Jesus as the one worthy of our highest devotion and sacrifice, foreshadowing His imminent sacrifice for humanity, and exemplifies the heart of worship that Jesus desires from His followers.

True worship requires risk and cost, demonstrating that our greatest treasures should be offered to Christ as a sign of our love and devotion.

MARY’S ACT OF WORSHIP

John 12:1–3 ESV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 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.

The ointment made from the pure nard was grown in mountains of Northern India, as well as Nepal and China.

It was imported to the Middle East in a variety of forms by Caravans from the East.

There is no information available as to how Mary had come by such an expensive ointment. The quality of the nard is highlighted by the fact the aroma filled entire house.

As noted later in the text, 300 Denarii was equal to a years wages for a common laborer of the day.

Given the cost of the ointment, it is a testament of Mary’s devotion to her Lord and Saviour, to willingly pour out such a valued commodity.

The heart of genuine worship- Mary offered her very best in worship to Christ. The cost was immaterial.

This should lead each of us to an honest self-examination of how we prioritize our devotion and worship to Jesus.

In the balance of worldly possessions and what we are willing to give to God- We must always being asking ourselves- Are we holding something back from God?

Although John only describes Mary as anointing the feet of Jesus, Mark’s Gospel expands it to pouring it over His head and it running down to His feet. Mark 14.

Since the natural color of the perfume was red, It is a significant image of future scourging and crucifixion that has Jesus’ own body covered in His own blood.

Genuine worship often requires sacrifice and may invite criticism

JUDAS’ REACTION

John 12:4–6 ESV

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 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.

Mary’s sacrifice of the expensive perfume was extreme- Even today may seem to be a waste of money that could have been spent better.

It is possible that a donation to the needy of the time may have had an immediate impact, but what Mary did had an eternal lasting effect.

Judas’s complaint may have been valid on its face, but even John has the advantage of hindsight in telling the story.

John now knows it was Judas that betrayed Jesus. At what point John and the other Disciples determined Judas to be a thief, is unknown.

John is obliged to tell the story with Judas’s dubious actions included.

Thus clouding whatever good intent Judas was trying to imply.

Some things for us to consider today:

Do we give in to the conflict of worldly value system and compromise on true Godly Worship?

How are we influenced by the assumed criticism or lack of understanding in our giving to God?

Are we hesitant to give our fullest devotion to God, considering how it might be recieved by others?

Scripture is replete with encouragement for us to be good stewards of all God has blessed us with...But do we hold back giving God our very best of everything and most importantly- Our Service, commitment, Devotion and Worship to our Heavenly Father?

The rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-31 approached Jesus seeking eternal life but turned away when he learned that to follow Him, he had to give up his wealth.

This story poignantly illustrates the price of discipleship; true following may require us to let go of comforts or attachments that keep us from God.

It challenges us to reflect on our own lives and what we might need to relinquish to truly follow Christ.

What is always in balance then is this

The eternal impact of sacrificial acts of worship versus temporary benefits

Jesus' unique presence on earth and the ongoing need to care for the poor

How does the contrast between Mary’s sacrificial worship and Judas’ secret theft speak to the importance of integrity in our spiritual lives?

PROPHETIC PURPOSE

John 12:7–8 ESV

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Jesus’ response can seem to be a bit confusing.

If Mary was to use this ointment in the traditional manner, she would have waited till after His death to anoint His body- Much as they did with her brother Lazarus.

As usual, there are several layers of imagery in play here:

Much like Caiaphas in chapter 11, Marys actions- Much like his words- Have meaning reaching far beyond what was intended.

Mary, perhaps unwittingly, in her exuberance act of worship, did not hold back any ointment that was possibly meant for the embalming of Jesus’ body.

In doing so, Jesus, himself, declares that Mary has- Figuratively- prepared His body for the burial that is to come.

Verse 8 has been used, out of context, in today’s society of alleged heightened sense of social responsibility.

However, we only have to go to Deut 15:11

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV

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.’

Jesus was simply restating an idea that is as old as Scripture itself.

The poor and disadvantaged have always been a part of every culture that has ever existed in humanity.

Jesus, as the second member of the Triune Godhead, appearing in the flesh- Is a unique situation- Never to be repeated in this manner again.

Jesus’ admonition does not negate our need to care for those less fortunate in our culture, today-

But it does speak to the glorious wonder of Who Mary and Martha had in their home that day.

This should challenge us, then to hold to worship and service to God that meets His purposes- Even when those around us may criticize our choices.

Authentic and true worship should be in line with God’s bigger picture and purpose of redemption that is inviting for all to take part in- And it will be a sacrifice to do so.

How does Jesus’ statement about always having the poor but not always having Him challenge our priorities in serving God versus addressing social issues?

PROCLAIMING POWER

John 12:9–11 ESV

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Paul's life, detailed in the New Testament, exemplifies the sacrifices made for discipleship. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he faced persecution, imprisonment, and ultimately execution for preaching the Gospel.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, he declares, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.'

His struggle and steadfastness remind us that while the path of discipleship is filled with trials, it leads to the ultimate reward of eternal life.

The paradigm we face is, the same love for Christ that will draw some to Faith, will also stir up hostility in others.

The Spiritual strength we draw from is knowing that even in the staunchest of opposition, The Power and Glory of Christ is manifest the strongest.

May we all, through our own commitment to devotion, be a guiding light to those around us- Inviting them to see the beauty and Full Truth of Jesus Christ.

How does Paul’s example of sacrifice for the gospel compare to our own willingness to face hardship for our faith?

FINAL THOUGHT:

Consider this:

The Jews, who Jesus presented the Gospel love of God to- Personally...

They were witness to everything that Christ did- In the name of God the Father- And rejected it all.

Yet the Gentiles saw little, if anything of Christ, and yet, given the opportunity- Believed it all.

What are we willing to sacrifice for our Faith?

Where do we stand today? Are giving God our all in worship and devotion?

That is the question we all need to answer.