Extravagant Worship

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When we think of Mary of Bethany, what often stands out is her extraordinary act of worship and deep devotion to Jesus. Her bold and unconventional expression of love was unlike anything others had imagined and it became the very act that drew divine favor into her life. While there are many ways to express worship, Mary’s gesture was truly unique,rare and a powerful display of adoration.

Worship born out of a divine revelation

Who would have ever thought, even in their wildest dreams, to break open an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, pour it over Jesus’ head, and then wipe His feet with their hair? If I had owned such precious spikenard oil, I would have likely saved it for my future husband or reserved it for a special occasion for myself. But Mary had received a revelation, one birthed from listening closely to Jesus’ words and teachings. ( Let me tell you, when you honor His words and pay close attention to it, he reveals secrets and obedience to those revelations can bring favor into your life)

Jesus repeatedly spoke of His death and resurrection. While even His closest disciples struggled to fully grasp it (Peter went so far as to rebuke Him for saying such things),Mary understood. She perceived what others could not. Moved by this divine insight, she chose to anoint Him beforehand, recognizing the significance of his death. In Jewish burial customs, bodies were anointed with spices and perfumes to honor the deceased. In addition, as she was anointing Jesus, she acknowledged the Messianic identity of Jesus. This aligns with the Old Testament practise of anointing kings and priest, symbolising his role as the king and the High Priest.

This simple, yet profound act of worship from an ordinary woman became an extraordinary moment in history. It wasn’t just about the perfume; it was about the revelation, the timing, and the heart behind it. Mary’s devotion touched heaven and in return, she found great favor.

Sacrificial worship

It is believed that the costly bottle of spikenard oil Mary used was a family treasure, possibly an inheritance passed down through generations. As Judas Iscariot pointed out, she could have sold it for a large sum. 300 denarii is a year’s laborer’s wage. She could have exchanged it for something else of worth or preserved it as a generational asset. There were countless practical ways she could have used or benefited from it. But instead, Mary chose to worship Jesus with it.

Think about that. Who will willingly part with something so precious and meaningful? Imagine giving away something expensive and of family value be it money, clothes, a car, a gadget, or a piece of furniture to a fellow believer or to your localchurch itself. That would certainly feel like a sacrifice. It would cost you something. That’s exactly what Mary did. She gave Jesus the most valuable thing she had not out of obligation, but out of deep love and revelation. Her worship wasn’t convenient or casual, it was costly and that made it so powerful.

Worship seeking eternal rewards

Using that expensive perfume for personal use would have certainly brought Mary some earthly benefits. She could have sold it for a substantial amount (300 denarii) as Judas pointed out and used the money to improve her life or help someone else. She could have gifted it to someone special and gained their admiration and appreciation. If she had used it for herself, people around her might have praised her taste or family. Even Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples who had listened to His teachings firsthand, was focused on the material value of the perfume. His eyes were fixed on the 300 denarii it could have fetched and not the spiritual significance of Mary’s act.

But Mary saw beyond what others could see.

By pouring the perfume on Jesus, she wasn’t just making a sacrificial gesture, but she was sowing into eternity. She exchanged something earthly for something eternal. Her act of worship was rooted in deep revelation, and the reward she received far surpassed the temporary value of the perfume. She gained Jesus’ favor, His commendation, and a place in Scripture where her story would be told for generations to come.

This reminds me of Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

(Matthew 6:19–21)

Mary laid up treasure in heaven. If she had been short-sighted like Judas or even the other disciples who didn’t fully grasp what was happening, she would have missed this profound blessing. Judas who called Mary’s act a waste eyed at the 300 denarii that could come out of the perfume. Simply consider where his life ended, while Mary reaped an eternal reward that no thief could steal nor time could erode.

How many of us pause to consider the eternal weight of our actions? Do we worship God for who He is or only for what He can give us here and now? Are we more focused on temporary rewards or eternal treasures? True worship, a worship born from revelation and offered with the right heart always carries eternal significance.

Worship going out of the common way

Jesus sat at the table, surrounded by many. A banquet had been prepared in His honor. Wherever He went, crowds gathered to listen, to learn, and to witness. The house of Simon the leper was no exception. It was likely filled wall to wall with people eager to be near Him. Amid that crowded room, a woman stepped forward in a bold and deeply personal act of worship. In those days, it was customary to greet a guest by anointing their head with a small dab of oil. This was a gesture of honor and hospitality. But she didn’t stop at what was expected. She broke open an alabaster flask and poured out all of its contents onto Jesus’s head. Then, humbling herself even further, she knelt to wipe His feet with her hair. It was neither a simple nor comfortable act especially in front of so many watching eyes.

Women at the time were often marginalized, excluded from places of status or significance. And yet, with courage and unwavering faith, she entered a space where she likely knew she wouldn’t be welcomed. She came anyway not for approval, but for Jesus.

Her act of worship drew sharp criticism. Some called it a waste. Others judged her harshly. The room,filled with awe, turned cold with disapproval. But she said nothing. She didn’t defend herself or try to explain. Instead, she fixed her eyes on Jesus and continued to worship. In the midst of whispers and stares, she chose Him fully, boldly, and without hesitation.

As I picture this scene, I imagine myself in her place. And honestly, I don’t think I could have done it. The thought of all those eyes on me, of the judgment and rejection is overwhelming. I would have likely slipped out of the room the moment someone even looked my way. It would have felt too awkward, too exposed. But she stayed. She worshiped. And in doing so, she showed what it truly means to love Jesus with everything, regardless of who is watching or what they say.

Her act of worship brings to mind the words from 1 Peter 2:19–23: “Praise the Lord if you are punished for doing right! Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it, and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased… Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered, he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly.”

This woman, through her bold and costly act of worship, lived out that very principle. She did what was right, pouring out her love and devotion to Jesus and yet she was met with criticism, judgment, and rejection. It’s uncomfortable for people to witness that kind of extravagant, unashamed worship. It disrupts the norm. And often, the first reaction is not admiration but condemnation. But she didn’t defend herself. She didn’t argue or respond to the harsh words spoken around her. She simply continued to worship quietly, humbly, and wholeheartedly.

And Jesus saw her. He stepped in.

While others called her act a waste, Jesus called it beautiful. “She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me.” — Mark 14:6 (AMP)? With just one sentence, Jesus silenced her critics. He defended her. He honored her. When others saw waste, Jesus saw worship. When they offered judgment, He gave her affirmation. She didn’t need to speak. Jesus spoke for her.

Unwavering worship

Criticism and judgment have the power to pull people away from true worship.

When someone gives something valuable like an alabaster jar of costly spikenard oil for the sake of God’s Kingdom, it often stirs controversy. Voices quickly rise, offering “wise” alternatives:

“Be practical.”

“Sell the perfume.”

“Use the money to buy land.”

“Renovate your kitchen instead.”

And when several voices echo the same reasoning, it can shake even the most sincere heart. At the very least, it forces a person to pause and weigh others’ opinions. That’s human nature. But what moves me deeply about Mary’s story is this: she remained untouched by public opinion when it came to her love and devotion to Jesus. She wasn’t swayed by the murmurs or the judgments. She didn’t alter her act of worship to gain approval even in the face of scrutiny and pressure.

Many people step away from acts of faith because of family expectations or societal norms. It’s understandable those moments are rarely easy. But what we often miss is this: our devotion is tested most in uncomfortable spaces.And Mary was tested too.

She passed.

Her unwavering worship was a testimony of a heart fully surrendered, one that refused to let the fear of man silence her love for Jesus. As Romans 14:8 (MSG) reminds us: “It’s God we are answerable to all the way from life to death and everything in between and not each other.”

There have been many moments in my life where I’ve made decisions based solely on the clear voice of God. I moved forward with conviction, not because it made sense to those around me, but because God had spoken.

But often, those decisions didn’t lead to outcomes others would call “favorable.” And when things didn’t go as expected, I found myself questioning:

“Did I really hear God correctly?” “Was that truly the right decision?”

In those moments, my faith would waver. My trust in God’s guidance would start to feel uncertain not because I didn’t love Him, but because the disapproval or misunderstanding of others weighed heavily on me. That’s why Mary of Bethany’s story speaks so deeply to me. She teaches me what it means to honor Jesus above the opinions of people. Her act of devotion didn’t make sense to those watching. It was criticized, misunderstood, and even called a waste. Yet she remained unmoved not seeking applause, not fearing rejection. Through her, I’m learning to value His voice above all others. Even when it’s hard. Even when it costs me something. Even when I walk a road others don’t understand.

Whole-hearted worship

As mentioned earlier, Mary didn’t simply anoint Jesus with a customary dab of oil. She broke open the alabaster jar and poured out its entire contents over His head.

Her actions spoke louder than words. In that one extravagant act, she expressed a love so deep and wholehearted that words could not contain it. She loved Jesus with everything, with all her heart, with all her soul, and above all her possessions. She didn’t hold back even a single drop, symbolizing her desire to withhold nothing from Him. The Passion Translation describes it as a lavish gesture of devotion.

And because she poured herself out in worship, the blessing she received went far beyond words of appreciation.He honored her in eternity. Jesus responded by giving her a legacy that still speaks today: “Wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and praised.”( Mark 14:9 TLB )Her favor crossed borders.Her devotion became part of the gospel itself woven into the story of Christ to be told across generations and nations.

Intentional worship

Mary’s act of worship was not impulsive but intentional. The alabaster jar of costly perfume, likely a treasured gift passed down from her parents, had been set aside with a purpose in mind. At some point, when she received it, she must have quietly resolved in her heart:”This is for Him.”

She may not have known the exact time or place. She didn’t have access to Jesus’ itinerary. But when the moment came when she heard that Jesus was at Simon the leper’s house, she knew the time had come. She took the precious nard out of her closet and made her way to Him. This wasn’t a spontaneous expression of emotion. It was deliberate, prepared, and deeply personal.

Her worship was born from thoughtfulness, anticipation, and the kind of love that plans ahead and sets aside the best, waiting for the right moment to offer it.

Mary teaches us that true worship is not just about responding in the moment. Its also about preparing our hearts, our lives, and even our treasures, to honor Jesus when the opportunity comes.

I found myself thinking “Don’t we all plan when love is involved?

When we truly love someone, we make intentional choices. We plan their favorite meals.We organize special outings. We carve out time for date nights and meaningful conversations. We think ahead, prepare and give our best because love naturally leads to intentionality. Where love is real, chaos and carelessness don’t have a place. Love brings order, attention, and thoughtful preparation.

Isn’t that exactly what Mary of Bethany did? She didn’t rush into that room with last-minute emotions. She had already set that perfume aside. She had prepared in advance not knowing when, but knowing for whom it was kept. Her love led her to plan. Her devotion moved her to act deliberately. And I believe Jesus desires the same from us.

Time set aside. Worship that is thought out and deeply personal. Because where there is love that’s real and abiding there will always be planning.

Worship is honouring Him

Judas Iscariot’s statement Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” gave the impression that he was thinking of the poor, valuing charity over extravagance. But in contrast, Mary of Bethany chose to honor Jesus with that same costly perfume.

Her decision reveals a critical truth: as important as charity is, it does not come above Jesus. Jesus Himself responded, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.”(Mark 14:7) In that moment, His presence was available, and Mary recognized it, she seized the opportunity to worship and anoint Him and not later with leftovers, but in the moment, with the best she had.

Had she hesitated…

Had she chosen to use the perfume for another cause…

Had she prioritized what sounded like the “better good”…

She would have missed that moment. And likely, we would not be reading about her today.

But because she honored Jesus above all else, she was written into the story of the gospel.The poor will always be among us and they must be cared for. But Jesus must always come first.Mary understood this. She prioritized His presence and because of that, her story continues to inspire generations.

Worship God with what you have

Mark 14:8 says, “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial.” This reminds us that Jesus only expects us to worship Him with what we have. He does not call us to imitate the way others worship or to follow their specific expressions of devotion. Mary offered what she had (an alabaster jar of perfume) and she used it fully to honor her Lord. She made the best use of her resources and circumstances in her act of worship.

In the same way, God looks at our hearts and our situations. Our circumstances may differ, but He desires sincere worship that reflects what we have and where we are. He does not want us to go beyond our means. God does not desire extravagant displays of worship that we cannot afford, nor does He expect us to borrow from others in order to honor Him. What He values is the sincerity of our hearts, not the size or cost of our offering. The story of the widow who gave two mites conveys this same truth. Jesus commended her because she gave out of her lack. She offered her best, even when it seemed small.

Let Mary’s example of worship stir your heart to worship the Almighty God, Jesus Christ, with the same wholehearted love.