The Infinite Worth of Worship

Nancy Leigh DeMoss:

Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume;

she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.

And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John12.3

Matthew’s account tells us that the disciples “were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked” (Matthew 26:8). To those men, Mary’s act seemed extravagant, for they did not understand the infinite worth of worship. On the other hand, Jesus, who was the object of Mary’s devotion, was pleased. “She has done a beautiful thing to me,” he responded to the bothered disciples (v. 10). Mary’s worship also had an unintended effect on herself. As she anointed Jesus’ feet with the precious ointment and then wiped His feet with her hair, she became fragrant with the very perfume she had lavished on Him. Further, John tells us that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). 

When you and I sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His Word and then sit at His feet and lavish our worship and love upon Him, there will be an impact. Some who do not understand the nature of an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus may object that we are being “wasteful” or fanatical by spending extended time alone in His presence, pouring out our love and devotion to Him. 

Regardless of the reaction of others, one thing is certain: True worship and devotion will make our lives fragrant and will perfume the environment around us. Our homes, our churches, even our places of work will bear the sweet scent of our devotion. Most importantly, the Lord Jesus will be pleased. And ultimately that is all that really matters.

Those who spend much time alone with Jesus have a profound influence on others (though they themselves are seldom conscious of that influence). You may have thought that if you were to spend quality time each day with the Lord, you would not have time to meet the needs of your family and others. To the contrary, those who have been much with God touch others’ lives with the power and glory of God. 

After Moses had been with God, his face radiated the reflected glory of God (Exodus 34:29) and the Israelites were moved to worship (33:7–11). Do your countenance and spirit reveal the glory of God to your family and acquaintances and move them to worship God? 

Isaiah 50:4–5 suggests that those whose ears are open to listen to God will have an “instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.” When people are emotionally or spiritually drained, do they know that they can come to you and expect to receive wise, encouraging words from the Lord to refresh their spirit? 

The Gospels indicate that Jesus’ effectiveness at ministering to the needs of others was born out of His times of communion with His Father: 

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed…. 

And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 

Luke 5:16–17