Jesus Pleasure in Extravagant Worship
Mark 14:3 (NIV) While he was in Bethany (John 12:1-2 six days before the Passover, where Lazarus was whom
Jesus had raised from the dead, there they made him a supper; and Martha served. ), reclining at the table in
the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman (John 12 “Mary”) came with an alabaster jar (1 lb) of
very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. (John 12
she anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance
of the oil) 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?
5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked
her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to
me. (John 12 “she has kept this for the day of my burial”) 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you
can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured
perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is
preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
1. In Bethany – this is where Jesus wanted to be before the passion week began. Lazarus and Simon the Leper were
present, it is very probable that the town was hosting a customary banquet of honor for Jesus who had done such miracles
in their town (John 12:9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only,
but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.)
2. She anoints His head and then His feet –
a. A sealed flask with a long neck. The neck was broken off when the contents were used. It could not be resealed
once opened. This was an all or nothing decision.
b. This was obviously meant to be an inheritance or investment because it was worth one year’s wages. Spikenard
was the costliest of ointments, imported from Arabia or India. It was used to refresh and exhilarate the recipient.
c. She gave Him the best, she gave Him all. The custom would be to honor a guest by anointing his head with oil
and washing his feet with water. But to both anoint His head and feet with oil was to honor Him in the highest way
(Pliny called this excessive luxury ). She’s declaring that Jesus is so worthy that even the dust on his feet is worth
anointing with costly oil.
d. Everyone was focused on Jesus ministry to them, but Mary was also concerned about ministry to Jesus.
3. She washes His feet – She assumes the posture of servant-hood and humility. She takes on a role that is lesser
than what the natural order would dictate.
4. She wipes them with her hair –
a. A respectable woman did not let her hair down in public. She was willing to be misunderstood and have her
reputation ruined because of her pursuit of loving Jesus.
b. To let the hair down was a statement of intimacy only permitted in the private chambers of marriage – Mary is
at Jesus feet like Ruth at the feet of Boaz as if to say “I’m available for marriage” - she assumes the place of Bridal love.
c. A woman’s glory (1 Corinthians 11) –Mary was making a massive statement saying that her delight and greatest
honor was to pour her entire being and future out in servant-hood and intimacy with Jesus. Her greatest glory was
to be at His feet ministering to Him.
d. Deep inner intimacy with Christ is inseparable from humility and servant-hood. (Theresa of Avilla)
e. The prayer and fasting life of Jesus
i. Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
ii. Mark 9:29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
iii. John 12:49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to
say and how to say it.
iv. John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do
only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
f. The prayerlessness of the western church is not ultimately an issue of being distracted because of our culture,
nor is it an issue of “mixed up” priorities, but it is proof that we’re intoxicated with our own arrogance. We believe that
we’re more capable of building God’s kingdom than Jesus was.
5. Criticized her sharply. – A life of abandoned, extravagant worship and prayer will always irritate and provoke a religious
spirit.
6. Leave her alone!
7. She did what she could - Literally, “what she had she did.” All of us have three things we can give; our time, our
strength, and our money.
8. You always have the poor with you - It is the lack of love, not of money, that allows the poor to suffer. All beholding
of Christ increases our love which will intrinsically increase our gifts to the poor.
9. Everywhere the gospel is preached what this girl has done will be told (Matt 26:13) – In the middle of a praise service
for miracles Jesus had done comes a single eyed, extravagant worshipper who has a revelation of who He is. It’s almost as if
Jesus is saying, praise for my deeds is good and right, but I am moved in the deepest way by those who want to know me
and love me for who I really am.
a. The most impacting and enduring thing we can do with our lives is extravagantly love the Lord. Secret hidden
times of lovesick adoration will endure as eternal monuments of wisdom.
b. The 1st commandment 1st.
c. Hebrews 11:6 The highest rate of reward is paid to those who are seeking intimacy with the Lord Himself.
10. Mary is one of the greatest examples of faith which brings God pleasure
a. She demonstrates a full confidence in Jesus ability to provide the things she hoped for. She pours out the
wealth of what is seen for the priceless treasure of what is unseen. What quality of fragrance does Mary possess in
the eternal kingdom?