True Worship – John 12:1–8
As we journey through Holy Week, we find ourselves in Bethany, just six days before the Passover, where Jesus is gathered with friends for a meal. Among them is Lazarus—recently raised from the dead—a quiet but powerful reminder of Jesus’ divine authority over life and death. In this setting, Mary responds not with words, but with worship. She breaks open a jar of costly perfume, pours it over Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. This extravagant act becomes a defining picture of what true worship looks like.
In Sunday’s sermon, Rev. Andrew Irwin helped us explore the richness of this moment. Mary’s worship is more than emotion; it is the overflow of a heart transformed by grace. She had seen the power of Jesus firsthand when her brother Lazarus walked out of the tomb. Her act of worship is deeply personal, sacrificial, and intimate. She gives all she has—not out of obligation, but out of thankfulness. It is a beautiful picture of what it means to give ourselves fully to Jesus.
By contrast, Judas offers a cold and calculated critique: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” On the surface, it sounds reasonable—even godly. But as John reminds us, Judas’ heart was far from God. His words were cloaked in piety, but his motives were selfish. This sharp contrast between Mary and Judas invites us to examine our own hearts: do our lives reflect the beauty of devotion like Mary’s, or have we become dulled by the logic of the world?
Mary’s example challenges us. Her worship wasn’t confined to a song or a Sunday—it flowed from the very centre of who she was. Her actions filled the room with fragrance, just as true worship should fill the spaces we occupy with the presence and love of Christ. Meanwhile, Judas—who had witnessed miracle after miracle—remained unmoved. He had been near Jesus, but his heart remained far.
Rev. Irwin reminded us that worship is a whole-life response to the love of God. As we approach the Cross this week, we are invited to reflect not only on what Jesus has done for us but on how we respond to Him. Are our lives a fragrant offering? Do our hearts and actions reflect a life truly thankful for the grace we’ve received?
If you missed the sermon or would like to hear it again, you can listen below. Let Mary’s example inspire you this Holy Week to offer your life as worship, and consider joining us in person as we walk the road to the Cross together.
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