Worship Styles

A truly great actor is one whom we can both love and hate.  Benedict Cumberbatch is a British actor who most people love as Sherlock Holmes, though he can be somewhat grating with his smugness.  But that is what his character is supposed to be like.  So we root for him and cheer him in his role as Sherlock.  However, in the Star Trek prequel, this same actor plays Khan.  He plays his part so well as the villain, it is easy to despise him.  In each role, he plays the parts so well that he evokes the appropriate reactions and responses from the audience.

There was another individual who was not playing a role for any production.  Yet, this individual produced similar reactions from those observing Him.  For many, this person was a hero and one to be loved.  To many others, this person was their enemy and someone to be silenced and removed.  Obviously, we know this person to be Jesus Christ.  Either you loved Him and believed in Him and were willing to follow Him wherever He would lead; or you hated Him and refused to believe in Him and would do anything to get rid of Him.

Today, we’ll be looking at several different ways people had of looking at Jesus.  The first responses most of us would gladly identify with as to how we might react.  The last reactions probably reflects the way most of the world responds when confronted with Jesus.

In the 1980s and 1990s, many churches experienced what was termed “worship wars.”  There were articles written and conferences held, dealing with what was the best style of worship in music.  Many people suddenly became musical experts when it came to this topic.  Churches split and some of the most peaceful people were willing to wage war.  Fortunately, most of that has died down and is not an issue.  The reality is that it should not have ever been an issue.  I believe the reason it was an issue with many, is that their worship was not really of Christ.  People elevated their personal preference and an unnecessary rigidity to worship styles, rather than the One to Whom all worship is due.  Yet, unless our minds are heaven-centered, many could find themselves in the same predicament as some of those we’ll study today.

Today, I want you to ponder and reflect on this thought: 

Worship styles are irrelevant if we’re truly worshipping Jesus Christ.

Delightful Worship Comes from Gratefulness for Salvation. - 12.1-3

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.  Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

It is helpful to understand a few cultural things about this scenario.  We see that Jesus had come back from Ephraim and gone to Bethany to be with Lazarus and his family.  The passage says they made Him a supper there.  This was a way of honoring a special friend.  We really don’t know at what house the meal took place.  It may have been at a friend's house, since we see Lazarus reclining at the table with Him.  If we read the parallel account in Matthew and Mark, we could assume the supper was at Simon the Leper’s home. 

The word for supper describes that which was the evening meal which was usually the big meal of the day.  At supper, it would have been a long, relaxing event.  For those familiar with the movie, Kate & Leopold, you recall the scene where the out-of-time visitor talked about how the meal was meant to be a time of reflection, an event. 

Well, back to this supper.  The table would most likely have been a u-shape that was low to the floor.  People would have sat or reclined on the floor, usually leaning on one arm or elbow while they ate and visited.  From the passage, we can gather that there were at least 17 people present.  

We see a variety of ways of responding to Jesus here; all of which I believe are different ways of showing love and appreciation to Jesus.  Martha was serving.  Lazarus was engaging Jesus in conversation at the meal.  There is no rebuke to Martha from Jesus on this occasion.  Acts of service are a perfectly acceptable part of our worship.  Not only did this honor Jesus, but I am guessing that Martha experienced great joy from it as well.

Then we come to another means of worship as demonstrated by Mary.  Scholars suggest that the amount of perfume was equal to about 12 ounces in today’s measurements. Also, nard was a perfume that was taken from the root and spike of a plant found in northern India.  Notice also that John states that it is pure nard, showing its incredible value.  Knowing that it came from northern India would have increased the value even more because of the great distance.  The value would have been about a year’s wages at that time.  This was an incredible amount of money.  Matthew and Mark state that Mary broke the container which was an alabaster vial.  This was also extremely valuable.  

Why would Mary be so extravagant?  I believe that Mary could teach us some very valuable lessons about worship and giving.  Too many people in our culture give out of their extra.  Many do not necessarily give sacrificially.  The church around the world today is somewhat like the Israelites in Malachi’s day; giving of the leftovers.  It has been suggested that true worshipful giving involves sacrifice.  Mary gave sacrificially, as this could easily have been her dowery; and she gave with extravagance.  Is that not what our Jesus did for us?  Mary held nothing back.  In breaking the alabaster storage container, we also can infer that she was not looking to replace the contents.  She gave it all.

Brothers and sisters, what is God asking you to give?  It may be time; it may be service; it may be material or financial.  Are you and I willing to give it all to Jesus?

Now there are some that would suggest that the Bible is contradictory because in Matthew and Mark, it says that Mary poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.  Here, in John, it states that she poured it on Jesus’ feet.  Remember that they are reclining at the table.  Mary could easily have started with Jesus’ head and then moved down to His feet.  There is not a contradiction, as this scenario could easily have occurred.  

But wait—it wasn’t only the extravagance of pouring out such expensive perfume and breaking the container that was so mind-boggling.  What happens next would have been shocking to the onlookers.  She wiped His feet with her hair.  Let’s take a little time to discuss this.  Remember the whole issue of washing another person’s feet.  This is a very humbling thing to do and is usually reserved for the servants of the house to do.  A Jew would not consider this to be their responsibility so they would have a lowly servant do it.  It is actually a very wonderful act of service which is given.  Yet, this isn’t what would shock a good Jewish person.

It becomes more shocking to the onlookers. Mary, in order to wipe Jesus’ feet, would have had to let her hair down.  This would have been considered completely inappropriate in a public setting (which is what this was).  Some considered it to be a sign of immorality.  Yet, we see no hesitation from Mary, nor any rebuke from Jesus.  

My friends, how often do we limit our worship in our serving and our giving and other ways, because of what we may think others might think of us?  Mary gives a wonderful example of not only extravagant worship, but also unashamed worship.  I love the word pictures that dares to engage our own senses:  the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  

So far, we have seen worship with Lazarus with fellowship at the table. We have seen worship with Martha serving, making sure food is available for all. And then we have seen worship with extravagant giving, by Mary.

But now, we must look at another way of responding to Jesus which is not at all pleasant to us and is definitely not true worship.

Deceitful Worship Comes from Greed and Sin. - 12.4-8

But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”  Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.  For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Most of us have experienced hearing the voice of reason speaking loudly while sounding quite heavenly-minded.  Many have been silenced by someone who claims to be a follower of Christ, speaking comments that somehow make sense at the time, though you know in your heart that this was not the voice which God would want us to hear.

Thus, Judas enters into the scene.  We have just seen complete unselfishness by Mary, along with her siblings.  Now we are jolted back to the world where many are concerned only with themselves and their agenda.  Interestingly, John takes the time to give us insight into Judas.  At the time of the event, the second part was probably unknown to the disciples.  However, this letter was one of the last written in the New Testament and was inspired by the Holy Spirit, so John was able to give this insight.  Judas was one of His disciples.  In other words, he was a student and follower of Christ, at least in the physical sense.  Then John opens up the door to a very dark secret by telling the readers that Judas was intending to betray Him.  

Judas was not just part of a large crowd following Jesus.  He was among the twelve closest disciples.  He was also the treasurer of the group for all their financial needs.  Sadly, Judas had the privilege of being among the closest to the One Who gives life to all who believe in Him; yet, according to Matthew 26.24, his punishment for his betrayal would be among the worst anyone in all time would ever receive.  

Sadly, this was a reflection of a heart that was not at all right with God.  Judas was very strong on national pride.  He wanted very much to throw off the yoke of the Roman Empire and see Israel restored to what he believed the nation should be.  When there is not a right relationship with God, the results and actions of a person are usually never as they should be.  John explains that Judas’ self-righteous, seemingly God-honoring response was anything but worshipful to Christ.  It was all about Judas.  Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  

Three years or more of Judas’ life was spent on following Jesus around, and for what?  Now, Mary had chosen to take her valuable gift to Jesus and pour it out on Him.  As a result, Judas would have no means of ever seeing that amount of money at his disposal.  To Judas, it must have seemed like one more huge disappointment; nothing was turning out as he wanted it.  Lest anyone here feel badly for Judas and attribute to him noble, but misguided motives, please understand that the Bible does not show him as misguided or misunderstood or noble in any sense.  In fact, he is presented to us as a greedy individual, a traitor, a murderer, and a coward.  Later, when he realized what he did, he committed suicide.  The Bible does not even suggest that he felt or expressed repentance; it was merely guilt or remorse about what he had done.   

Then Jesus specifically rebukes Judas, as we can tell from the Greek use of the 2nd person singular.  The translation for the explanation is a bit awkward in the English. However, the more accurate commentators suggest the wording might be, You, let her alone; she did not sell the perfume [as you wish she had], so that she could keep it for the day of my burial.  Mark 14:8 tells us, “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”   What she did was to prepare Jesus for what was to come.  It was symbolic of the upcoming death and burial of Jesus.  

Jesus further explains and points out the error in Judas’ thinking.  Jesus was not always going to be with them.  Worship and honor should be done while He was among them.  The poor would always be around and there are always opportunities to tangibly do something beneficial for the poor.  There will not always be opportunities for them to do something so tangible for Jesus.

Sadly, we know how Judas responded.  Instead of humbling himself, repenting and worshipping Jesus as he should, the Gospels state that he very intentionally set out to betray Jesus.  

So far, we’ve seen worship done correctly by Lazarus’ family.  We’ve also seen a misplaced worship of self by Judas.  Now we’ll look at supposed religious support of God that is the exact opposite of genuine worship; it is fake.

Deluded Worship Comes from Glory of Self. - 12.9-11

The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.  But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

Verse 9 shows us a large crowd of Jewish people, upon discovering that Jesus was in the area, decided to check it out to see what was happening.  They had heard of the incredible miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, so of course, they wanted to see that oddity, as well.  

This group is not unlike many today who flit from speaker to speaker, from church to church, always looking for the next exciting spiritual rush.  However, when it comes down to following Jesus Christ alone, plus living only for Him, the demand becomes too much and they look for the next religious sounding option. 

Of course, when a large crowd gathers around, the religious leaders would want to know what’s going on.  It’s because of that self-righteous paranoia that they wore so well.  However, the proof of Jesus being God was now being recognized by the masses.  As far as the religious leaders were concerned, not only did Jesus have to die, but so did Lazarus.  And interestingly, it was the chief priests who were planning this.  The chief priests were made up mostly of Sadducees.  Obviously, since they didn’t believe in the resurrection, it wasn’t really good marketing to have a formerly dead man walking around alive.  

And just what was the real problem?  Many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.  No longer did the religious leaders find themselves being worshipped and revered.  No longer were the words they spoke, accepted as being from God.  They simply could not have the people believing in Jesus as God and the only way to heaven.  What a contradiction they were living; pretending to be followers of God and pretending to be shepherds to God’s people.  In actuality, they were followers of Satan and taskmasters to God’s people.

Reflections

As we look back over this passage, we can see some things which ought to help us in our understanding of worship.  Let’s review the wrong worship styles, then go to the pleasing worship styles.

Obviously, if one’s worship is in the camp of the religious leaders, then those individuals are not followers of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes, in various churches, individuals can become so filled with themselves, that whenever people are coming to Christ, following Him and not adhering to manmade rules, certain people in power will do all they can to get rid of those who testify to the power, mercy and love of Jesus Christ.  This has happened to many people over the years and still happens. 

If one is a spectator-follower of Christ or a fair-weather follower of Christ, then that individual worships at the altar of pleasure and self-satisfaction.  Whatever the trend happens to be at the time, they will go along with the crowd and sing loud praises which are simply empty sounds.  The large crowds fit that role and we can see it even today.

If one wishes to spout “Christianeze” or spiritual sounding phrases just to keep themselves in a position to accomplish what they want to accomplish, then that person is a follower of themselves and Satan.  It is quite simple to quote Scripture out of context to justify wrong behavior.  It is an easy thing to point out the moral or right thing to do while undermining God.  This person is able to pull off all kinds of spiritual hijinks because none of us can see their true spiritual condition.  But God sees it.  They may even express deep guilt and anguish of spirit.  However, if there is not repentance and restitution, it is hollow and will lead to eternal death.

How about some positive styles of worship that are pleasing to God which we can practice in our own lives? 

Let’s look first of all at Lazarus.  He is sitting at the table with Jesus, enjoying the fellowship and the food.  He was basically hanging out with Jesus.  He was spending time with Jesus.  No hurry; no hidden agenda; just enjoying the presence of Jesus.  My friends, this is an act of worship. Does Jesus know how much you love Him and adore Him?  Is it seen by your willingness to simply spend time with Him?  We have nothing to prove.  We are already made acceptable in God’s sight.  We’re already part of the family. Quit trying so hard and just sit down and enjoy fellowship with Jesus.  

Even Martha was shown to truly worship Jesus.  She was happy to serve.  When we serve others in Jesus’ name, there is great joy.  We don’t serve to be seen by others, though we will be.  We don’t serve to acquire favor with God.  We serve because of the example Jesus gave of serving.  We serve because it is a way of showing our love and worship for all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

Mary is seen worshipping Jesus.  I understand that to some of us who are somewhat conservative financially, her act might seem frivolous.  However, I’m so grateful that God gave extravagantly and without it making any earthly sense when He sent Jesus to be my Savior.  I’m so thrilled by the fact that God has given me every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.  What extravagant mercy and grace I have received. 

And knowing that we were all enemies of God, may I suggest that what Jesus did may be considered frivolous.  Thank you Mary for showing us that we shouldn’t consider holding back, when God moves us to give extravagantly!  My friends, don’t let this world’s wisdom or our human understanding keep us from worshipping God with all that we are and all that we have.

Did you know that how you worship or the fact that you do worship Jesus Christ is a testimony to the world?  Every one of us who has been saved from hell to spend eternity with Jesus are just as much a living miracle as was Lazarus.   

You see, worship styles are irrelevant if we’re truly worshipping Jesus Christ.