Worship Arises Out of Resurrection

This morning for devotion, I read through the story of the anointing of Jesus’ feet in John 12:1-8 and noted something interesting about the first three verses. Look and see if you pick up something interesting.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for Him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Do you see the same thing I see? How about the words you so often read over: “therefore” & “so”.  Check out the the second verse: So they gave a dinner for Him there. Why did they give Him a dinner? The first verse answers it: because Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The same reason continues to verse 3: Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair.

Often times we focus on the latter part of the story (Judas’ response to Mary’s act of worship) rather than looking at the beginning of the story: why she is worshiping to begin with.

Simply put, Mary is worshiping because of what Jesus did in Lazarus’ life.Worship arises out of resurrection.

Because of what Jesus did in Lazarus’ life, not only can Lazarus celebrate, but the people who love him can as well. In fact, they throw a party because of it. That being said, we should (and do) worship Christ because He has made us alive even when we were dead (Ephesians 2:4-5).  It is in response to our spiritual resurrection that we worship Him.

The ultimate result? The surrounding culture is changed. The fragrance of Mary’s act of worship filled the entire house. How is your environment changed by your acts of worship? Is it at all?