Then 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. -John 12:3 NIV
I love good perfumes. There was a time when I didn’t want to spend too much on perfumes and what I got was low-quality perfumes that wore out after a while. Because I love to smell good, I decided to get perfumes that would last longer, though expensive.
A person or place that smells good attracts me. I would not want to stay in a place too long if it does not smell nice and would not want to start up a conversation with someone that does not smell good.
From our text, Mary took an expensive perfume and broke it at the feet of Jesus, and used her hair to clean His feet. The fragrance of the perfume filled the house. This was her way of worship. Her worship of Jesus was pleasant; it was expensive and pleasant.
One of the disciples was suggesting ways that the perfume could get them money but Jesus rebuked him. Jesus loves our sacrifice of worship. Our worship could be expensive but it’s pleasing.
What do I mean by expensive worship?
It’s worship from a place of humility. From a place of pain and inconvenience. You just lost your loved one but you lift up your hands to God and say, “Lord you are great!” When things are rocky and turbulent but you don’t let that stop your praise. When you don’t feel like worshipping but you still lift up your hands and voice to bless God.
Expensive worship is heartfelt worship. It’s pleasing to God and evokes a reward.
In Job 1: 20, after being informed of the calamity that had befallen his family, he fell on the ground and worshipped God. This was an expensive worship.
In Job 42:10, he recovered all that he lost. God wants us to worship Him in season and out of season. He wants your praise to be a sweet-smelling fragrance. Heartfelt praise!