Today I want to share Andrew Womack's devotional!
WORSHIP FROM YOUR HEART
Mark 14:3 "And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the
leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of
ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on
his head." MARK 14:3-6
The spikenard was a fragrant plant, and its roots were used in
Jesus' day to make an aromatic, costly perfume and ointment. The plant, itself,
grows in the Himalaya mountains at an elevation of 11,000 to 17,000 feet. For
centuries, it was used by Hindus as a medicine and perfume and was an actively
traded commodity. Its great cost stemmed from that it had to be transported
over 6,000 miles to reach Palestine, and depending on quality, it sold for as
much as 400 denarii per pound (or $750 an ounce, is the modern purchasing
equivalent). That made it more valuable than gold. This ointment was worth at
least two and one-half times more than the thirty pieces of silver that Judas
received for betraying the Lord, which is why Judas was so upset. This perfume
was worth two and one-half times what Judas thought Jesus was worth.
Judas didn't care about the poor. He wanted to have the money
that the perfume could have been sold for in his bag (he was the treasurer for
Jesus) so he could steal it. This is a very serious crime that Jesus no doubt
knew about, but scripture never mentions Him confronting Judas.
Judas' reaction to this act of pure worship is typical of the
reaction toward worship of many people today. Judas and some of the other
disciples, thought this was a waste. That was only because they didn't value
Jesus as highly as Mary did. Mary had seen Jesus raise her brother from the
dead and her heart was overflowing with love and worship. The disciples were
looking on the outward things while Jesus was looking at Mary's heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Those who cannot see beyond the physical realm will be offended at others'
displays of worship. True worship comes from the heart.
The fact that Mary loved, treasured and worshiped JESUS is shown in her heart attitude revealed in Luke 10:38-42:
38 Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
ALWAYS choose time with JESUS over other things and you will ALWAYS have more than enough time for the "other things"! HE will make your time expand to cover all that you NEED to do, as well as those things that you desire to do. TRUST HIM! Our God IS God, and He is GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Amen! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shape Of Your Heart":
Shalom in Him!
