The Greatest Gift We Can Give to God: Our Worship
In John 12:1-8, we find a powerful scene just days before Jesus’ crucifixion. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, takes a jar of expensive perfume—pure nard—and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. The fragrance fills the house, a symbol of her extravagant love and devotion. But not everyone sees it this way. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would later betray Jesus, protests, saying that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But as John points out, Judas didn’t actually care about the poor—he was a thief, looking for ways to take advantage of the situation.
Jesus, however, defends Mary, saying, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:7-8, NIV).
This passage reveals something profound about worship. Mary gave Jesus the best she had, an offering of love and devotion. She wasn’t concerned about the cost—her focus was solely on honoring her Lord. Meanwhile, Judas made excuses, masking his own selfishness with seemingly good intentions.
Excuses and True Worship
Judas’ words sound reasonable on the surface—helping the poor is a good thing. But his heart wasn’t in the right place. Likewise, we often make excuses when it comes to worshiping God.
“I don’t have time to go to church.”
“I can pray at home; I don’t need to be in a church building.”
“I’m too busy with work, family, or other responsibilities.”
“I’m tired; Sunday is my only day to rest.”
Just as Judas used concern for the poor as a cover for his greed, we sometimes use excuses to justify neglecting worship. But the truth is, our worship—whether through prayer, singing, serving, or simply being present in church—is the greatest gift we can give to God. It’s an act of love, just like Mary’s offering.
Giving God Our Best
Mary’s act teaches us that worship isn’t about convenience or practicality—it’s about giving Jesus our very best. She could have kept the perfume for herself or sold it for a large sum, but she chose to pour it out for Jesus.
What are we willing to pour out for Him?
Our time?
Our talents?
Our resources?
God doesn’t ask for extravagant gifts; He asks for our hearts. When we prioritize Him—when we make worship an essential part of our lives—we show that He is worth more than anything else.
No More Excuses
Let’s not be like Judas, making excuses while missing the presence of Jesus right in front of us. Instead, let’s be like Mary, willing to give God our all, no matter the cost. Worship is not about obligation—it’s about love. And when we love God deeply, nothing will stand in the way of our worship.
So this Sunday, instead of finding a reason to stay home, let’s find every reason to be in His presence. Because the greatest gift we can give God is the worship He so rightly deserves.
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
