February 15 | Matthew 26:6-13

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 26:6-13

---

REFLECTION

The Importance of Worship

by Ken Dillman

In our text for today, Jesus is with his disciples and is rapidly moving toward crucifixion; his years of ministry and discipleship are completed, only Passover and the final sacrifice is yet to come.

The group stops in Bethany, at the house of Simon, the likely home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, the same Mary we read of in Luke 10 who sits at Jesus’ feet to learn, while her sister, Martha busies herself with many things.

Mary must’ve have seen something in Jesus that she had never seen in another man; she understood Jesus to be the Messiah who was worth dedicating her life to and worshiping.

During Jesus and the disciples’ visit, Mary (John 12:3) opens an expensive flask of ointment worth a years’ wages and anoints Jesus with it by pouring it over his head in extravagant worship, it was her expression of her love for Jesus; however he framed it as something much more, he received it as an anointing for his burial.

Sometimes, what may come from us as worship, to Jesus it may be much more. Surprisingly, Judas was angry with Mary, accusing her of WASTING the ointment that could have been sold for a great amount and given to help the poor. Jesus chastises the disciples, specifically Judas against their cruel accusations, and blesses Mary for her actions.

Our worship of Jesus is never wasted. We may find ourselves worshiping in the privacy of our own home in our own way, singing praises in the shower, walking through a wood as we acknowledge our Creator, raising our hands in a church service during musical worship, or singing with joyful noise (Ps. 95:1) and the Lord receives it all as something special to him.

David wrote in Psalm 22:3 “O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (KJV) The definition of “inhabitest” means to “sit down” in the original Hebrew. As we worship, in whatever form, God enters into our worship with us; perhaps this is why Jesus was so disturbed by Judas’ condemnation of Mary.

Do we stop to consider that worship was so important to Satan, that he was willing to give Jesus anything in the world to receive worship from him; Satan desired the smallest genuflect. (Matt. 4:8-10)

Let us never entertain the thought that any of our worship is wasted, regardless of how small or insignificant we may think it.

PRAYER

Jesus, help us to never forget to worship you in spirit and in truth. Thank you for always appreciating our act of worship and bless us for the effort. Amen.

---

---

My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.