The Necessity of Worship

Mark 14:3-9
Today's discussion question: Will extravagant worship always provoke criticism?

At a previous dinner with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Mary was criticized for sitting at Jesus' feet while preparations were made.  Jesus affirmed her actions as "necessary." (See Luke 10:41-42.)  At this dinner, Mary again worships out of necessity. (See Matthew 26, and John 12 to piece together all the details of this story.)


This large dinner party gathers to honor Jesus in the home of Simon the Leper.  The next day the crowds will celebrate Jesus as he enters Jerusalem.  And, a week from now he will be crucified and buried.  His body will be quickly wrapped in broad linen strips and rushed to a borrowed tomb before Passover begins at sundown.  


Jesus lies on the floor next to a low table raised up on one elbow enjoying fellowship with his friends.  Mary enters and kneels at his feet.  She takes his hand and helps him sit up. Jesus, sitting cross-legged, faces Mary who kneels in front of him.  He looks at her face.  She looks down to her lap and lifts a stone bottle with a narrow neck and a stopper sealing it.  She does not unstop it. She slams the mouth of it on the edge of the table, breaking the narrow neck of the bottle.  The deep musky scent fills the room.  Mary places a hand on top of Jesus' head and he bows to receive her anointing. She pours the entire contents of the bottle on the crown of his head and it streams down his hair, flows onto his feet and forms a puddle around them.  As Jesus straightens his back brushing back his hair and wiping his eyes, Mary extends her legs and reclines at his feet.  She begins to wipe the excess oil with her hair. How could she more fully immerse herself in worship?


Do you wonder if at the foot of the cross, as Mary bowed her head to weep, if her hair fell in her face and she caught the lingering scent of the perfume?  Did she worship again?


Why do modern Christians so easily settle for worship that is strictly cerebral and excludes the body and its senses?

Tell us about your hopes & goals for 40 Days 'Till Easter.

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