Incorporating Worship + “Surprised By Worship”
Surprised by Worship.
“…shall we think any box of ointment too precious to pour out on HIM?”
“Christ must be honored with ALL we have and we must not think to keep back part of the price.”
“…Christ makes it an act of great FAITH, as well as LOVE…”
“Thus was the good woman repaid for her box of ointment – nec oleum perdidit nec operam – She lost neither her oil or her labor. She got it by that good name which is better than precious ointment. Those that honor Christ will He honor.”
– Matthew Henry (all 4 quotes)
The story of the alabaster box is probably my favorite in all of Scripture. There are other “worship stories” that I love too: David refusing to offer a sacrifice at no personal cost, Daniel’s dedication -- 3x a day worship in the face of persecution, Solomon’s extravagant display at the dedication of the temple, and others, but I find no other story so personal, so authentic, so unexpected.
…of Mary’s Worship:
Matthew 26: 6-7: “And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.”
Mark 14:3: “And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.”
John 12:3: “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
…of the ‘woman who was a sinner..,’:
Luke 7:37-38: “And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.”
I recently wrote about the fact that it was lavish—a pound, costly, and humble—she washed not only His head, which was customary, but also His feet. This morning, another aspect of what makes this offering soooooo BEAUTIFUL is that it was unexpected and unrequired. Both of these women were not required to do anything along these lines; no one suggested it. In fact, in both scenarios, the onlookers are shocked and almost appalled at the lavish excess of her unexpected offering. Some called it a “waste.” Some mustered up false benevolence and suggested it should’ve been instead sold with the proceeds going to the poor. In Mary’s case—they thought it “too expensive.” In the case of the woman known simply as “a sinner,” they thought her unworthy to offer an expensive gift and were horrified that Jesus would allow “that type of woman” to touch Him. Yet, Jesus’ response was the opposite of the crowds. He welcomes the expensive display. He applauds the lavish outpour. He says of Mary that her worship would become a “memorial” through the ages. For “the sinner,” He points out to the host that “you didn’t wash my feet, kiss me, or anoint my head. She has been forgiven much and this unsparing sacrifice has proved her love.” He forgives her sin, credits her show of affection as faith (Luke 7:50), and sends her away in peace.
There is something extra special about unexpected gifts. On a birthday or Christmas, while gifts are still surprises, they are somewhat expected. However, when I receive a ‘just because’ gift, it swells my heart with a feeling of being loved that no birthday or Christmas gift could. The giver had no requirement to give me a thing. I was expecting absolutely nothing and the smallest gift under that setting is magnified in value.
Jesus felt the same of these offerings – they were borne of love and passionate affection, not duty or routine or requirement. These lavish displays of love were completely unexpected, unsuggested, and unrequired, and they moved His heart like nothing else could.
Oh, to worship like that – to offer unexpected, unrequired worship that touches the heart of a great God, that moves His power and glory into motion, and is credited not simply as love and affection, but as faith.