Jesus was sharing a meal with a group of men. These men perceived themselves to be very important. A woman came into their presence, a woman the men considered to be unworthy of their time. In her hands she carried an alabaster box of very expensive perfumed oil. This box and its contents are worth more than most people make in a year.

            She takes this box and breaks it. Then she pours all of the oil on Jesus. In absolute worship and complete brokenness, the lady bows at the feet of Jesus. Her tears mix with the perfume as she anoints the feet of the Savior and wipes them with her hair. She knows that in order to worship God you must be completely broken and poured out for Him. You cannot hold anything back.

            The men present that day were angry at the woman. They were partially angry because they thought that she was not fit to be there and they were partially angry because she wasted this valuable ointment. But the real reason they were angry was the contrast between their worship of God and hers. Their worship of God was an attempt to manipulate Him into giving them what they wanted. When she worshiped she expected nothing in return, she truly took up her cross and died to herself.

            What about you? If you received nothing in return, if there were no blessings to be had and no prayers were answered, would you still bow at the feet of Jesus? Yes, there is salvation to be gained. There is hell to be rescued from and heaven to received but what if there wasn’t?  Would you still worship God?

            My friends let me tell you. My God is worthy of all honor and glory and praise.  It does not matter if I receive anything in return. He is the Creator and Owner of all things and He alone is worthy of all I have. I will save nothing for myself, I will be broken and poured out for My Savior.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends