The Beautiful Gift of Worship: What We Can Learn from the Woman with the Alabaster Box

 In Mark 14, we find a powerful story of devotion that teaches us what true worship looks like. While religious leaders were plotting to kill Jesus, a woman demonstrated extraordinary love through a sacrificial act of worship that Jesus called "beautiful."

Not Everyone Around Jesus Had the Right Motives

The passage begins by showing us that not everyone following Jesus or in proximity to Him had pure intentions. Some religious leaders had already decided Jesus wasn't for them and were actively plotting to kill Him. They were just waiting for the right moment when the crowds wouldn't riot.

This reality remains true today. There are people in our world, perhaps even in our families, who have decided they don't want Jesus in their lives. They may even be bothered by our decision to follow Him.

But here's the good news: just because some people reject Jesus doesn't mean He stops working. Just because some don't want to pray doesn't mean God isn't answering your prayers. Just because some refuse to place faith in Him doesn't mean He won't do incredible things in your life when you trust Him.

What Is True Worship?

 In this story, we see a woman who brings an alabaster box of expensive perfume to Jesus. She breaks it open and pours it on His head - an act that would cost her greatly. This gives us insight into what worship truly is.

Worship is more than just what happens during a church service. It's an act of love or respect given to someone we're in a relationship with. It extends beyond church walls into every part of our lives.

Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service [or worship]."

True worship means presenting ourselves to God as living sacrifices - not static, one-time offerings, but ongoing, daily surrender. It's living out our relationship with the Lord in every aspect of our lives.

 Do I Need to Clean Myself Up Before I Can Worship God?

 Many of us fall into the trap of thinking we need to get everything straight in our lives before we can properly worship God. We think we need to reach a certain level of acceptability first.

 This is completely backward. The scripture doesn't ask us to clean ourselves up first - it asks us to "present ourselves as living sacrifices." This means coming to God as we are, in whatever condition we find ourselves.

 Sometimes I come to God when I'm at my best - well-rested, prepared, and put together. Other times, I come tired, rushed, and feeling unprepared. But God doesn't wait for me to be perfect before He accepts my worship. He wants me to come as I am, bringing my authentic self to Him.

 How Do I Handle Criticism of My Worship?

 When the woman poured her expensive perfume on Jesus, she faced harsh criticism. People called it a waste. They said the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

 Jesus immediately came to her defense: "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me."

 There will always be critics of your worship. Some may say you're wasting your time. Others may try to dictate how you should express your devotion to God. But Jesus defends those who worship Him sincerely.

 When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, people praised Him loudly. Critics asked Jesus to quiet His followers, but He responded that if they were silent, "the rocks would cry out." The call to worship will be answered - if not by us, then by someone else.

 The Cost and Reward of Worship

 The woman's act of worship was costly. She gave up something extremely valuable - perfume worth a year's wages. She surrendered her reputation, her safety from criticism, and her anonymity.

 But in giving, she also received. She received acknowledgment from Jesus, His defense, and His protection. Jesus even declared that her story would be told wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world.

 When we worship Jesus, something beautiful happens. Just as the perfume anointed Jesus but also clung to the woman's hands and hair, our worship of God transforms us. Anyone who encountered both Jesus and this woman afterward would have known they had been together because they carried the same fragrance.

 Different Ways to Worship

 Worship looks different for different people:

•  For the woman, worship meant breaking open her expensive perfume

• For Simon (the host), worship meant making space for Jesus in his home

• For Martha, worship meant serving others

• For the Gospel writers, worship meant recording and sharing these stories

Your worship might look like lifting your hands and singing loudly. It might look like quiet tears as God moves in your heart. It might look like serving others, giving generously, or making space for Jesus in your daily life.

Life Application

How can we apply this powerful story to our lives today?

• Present your authentic self to God - Don't try to clean yourself up first. Come as you are, and let God do the transforming work.

• Make space for Jesus everywhere - Is Jesus welcome in your car on the ride home? In your house? At your job? In your family? Make room for Him in every area of your life.

• Don't let criticism stop your worship - There will always be those who don't understand your devotion to Christ. Worship Him anyway.

• Give your unique gift of worship - Your worship doesn't need to look like anyone else's. Bring your own "alabaster box" to Jesus.

Ask yourself these questions this week:

• Where am I holding back in my worship of God?

• What areas of my life have I not fully surrendered to Him?

• How can I demonstrate my love for Jesus in practical ways this week?

• What is my "alabaster box" - the precious gift I can offer to Jesus?

Remember, you will never do anything better with your life than surrendering 100% to Jesus Christ. When someone suggests you're wasting your time following Him, you can confidently say, "No, I'm following the One who has made a way for me, who has called me out of darkness into His light, who will get me to heaven. That's never a waste."

See/Listen to the Sermon Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYWySCuibAU&t=398s