Rethinking Sacrifice Week 4: Rethinking Worship by: Minister Teresa Robinson
Scripture: John 12:3-8
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Rethinking Our Sacrifice of Worship
As I begin to write, I look outside and see the snow on the ground beginning to melt, uncovering what has been covered up for a week and questions come to my mind. During this Lenten season, what is being uncovered concerning our worship toward Jesus? What do we keep placing over and above Jesus? It has been months since our church, C4 and other churches have been able to gather physically, but please NOTE: worship has NOT stopped in heaven! Has it stopped in you?
When you hear the word “worship” what thoughts come to mind? When you hear “worship”, does a certain musical sound come to your heart? Do you push unfamiliar worship sounds away? When you hear the word “worship”, what images come to mind? Images of church gatherings? Images of musicians playing softly? Scenes of worship leaders singing beautiful hymns? Do you see dancers? Can you hear the sounds of trumpets and tambourines? Flags flying? Do you see children and adults singing loudly with their hands raised calling on the name of the Lord?
One definition of worship is: the act of attributing reverent honor and homage to God.
Worship means to bow down to God or kings. To show a lot of love and adoration for something. My definition of worship is “a heart bent toward Jesus”. An intentional focus of letting our life dealings lean toward Jesus being glorified!
When you sit quietly and began to read the word of God, would you consider that to be worship? When in prayer and words cease but tears and your heavenly language begin to flow is that worship? When you visit a sick or sad friend and just sit holding their hand in love is that worship to you? When you read and explain the word of God to a child, would you consider that to be worship?
Jesus was at the house of his friends having a meal when all of a sudden a woman enters the house! She is on a mission and her heart is “bent” and focused to see Jesus. She comes to pay honor to the one she loves deeply. She speaks to no one but carries a most precious gift with her. She doesn’t pay attention or care about who is complaining about her being there, she heads straight to the master to release her fragrant worship upon him.
Have you ever been in worship in public and realized that you have begun to “look out of sorts”. Have you ever been in worship and lost yourself only to come to yourself and realize “all eyes are on you?” Have you ever been in worship in your home, loving on Jesus only to look up and see your children looking at you as if you have lost it? Let’s rethink our sacrifice of worship for this Lenten season.
Song of Solomon 1:12 NKJV says that While the king is at his table, my Spikenard sends forth its fragrance. Have you ever thought about the fragrance you leave Jesus when you decide to worship? Deciding to worship when your body hurts, your mind is cloudy and all things seem to be going wrong is a Sacrifice! Being intentional and focused on living to worship and please Jesus alone is a sacrifice that we should not take for granted! Worship placed on King Jesus sends forth a fragrance that he loves! Have you ever been around someone who had worn the most fragrant oil or perfume and you saw them when they physically left the room but their fabulous scent was still hanging in the air? That is how our lives given over to worship to our King should be: (II Corinthians 2) we are to be to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
C4, like most churches, hasn't had worship services yet, but during these past months, we have had a great opportunity to focus on Jesus and worship with him in private! Many losses have happened over the past few months, but we should NOT have lost the desire to offer sacrifices of worship to the King of Kings!
John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of Spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Can you see Mary getting ready to leave her home? She wraps her head with a scarf, puts her sandals on, and places her precious alabaster box in her bag. All the way out the door she is praying within herself and thinking of the JOY Jesus has brought her and her family. Tears roll down her face as she rushes past people and thoughts of how much she loves the master gush from her heart. Rushing all the way asking herself, “what shall I render unto the Lord for all of his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). At his feet, Mary decides to pour on Jesus her costly Spikenard oil. The aroma of Spikenard was an indication that someone had brought their very best! Father God help us to find a new passion and a new love for Jesus who gave up and sacrificed his life for us all!
During this Lenten season, let us decide NOT to be like Judas who robbed Jesus of worship because he was selfish and prideful. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box;
How, what and who we worship is a personal choice, but during this Lenten season, let’s ask ourselves, do we have an issue with “public or private” worship and honestly have we not given Jesus the worship he is due? Does trying to live a life that glorifies Jesus feel cold, hard, and strained? Give Up! Surrender! It’s time to stop robbing Jesus of what he is due! No one wants to be like Judas, watching and complaining about those that decide to sacrifice and worship freely! No one wants to be like Judas by stealing and robbing Jesus of all that he’s worth! Let’s be reminded that there are benefits to worship! Mary was defended by the King of Glory and when WE worship, Jesus will defend us too! He will contend with those that have the nerve to strive and contend with us! (Psalm 35:2)
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
A few days before Jesus was to be crucified, Mary sacrificed and brought Jesus the best she had. We have a few weeks before Resurrection Sunday is celebrated, what have we sacrificed?
(Romans 1) tells us we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, we are to be holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. Now that is worship!
Let’s decide during this Lenten season to push aside the cares and distractions of this world, and uncover the hindrances that have kept us from pouring on Jesus the joy of worship he deserves! After all, the bible tells us that God is looking for worshippers that will decide to worship him in spirit and truth – John 4:24
My prayer for Cross and Crown in this portion of the Body of Christ is that we decide during this Lenten season to let pride be broken off of us and worship freely! My prayer this Lenten season for us is that we recall the Great Sacrifice Jesus gave up for us, he gave his life and did so freely! My prayer for Cross and Crown and the Body of Christ is that we like the Spikenard oil that clung to Jesus’ head and feet, will decide to cling to Jesus’ words and Rethink our sacrifice of worship!
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