Broken Self-Worth
Christ Centered – Part 1

Scripture Reading: John 12:1-8

Key Verse: John 12:3

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

It was the evening before Jesus would make His final entry into Jerusalem.  A dinner was being served in Jesus’ honor; Martha would serve the food.  Her sister, Mary, took perfume that was worth 300 pence or a year’s wages in their day and poured it on Jesus’ feet.  She wiped His feet with her hair.  The house was filled with this fragrance which guaranteed every guest there for the dinner would soon know what Mary had done.

We know that Judas, the treasurer, was upset with Mary; realizing the value of the perfume.  What did the other guests think?  The Bible doesn’t tell us, but we can imagine.  Some would totally agree with Judas.  Not only did Mary pour perfume on Jesus, she put it on His feet!  Were some offended that Mary would take her hair and wipe His feet?  Did that seem “over the top;” far too personal, especially for their society?

Didn’t Mary care what the others thought?  Surely she thought this through, knowing the value of that perfume.  Mary was convinced of the identity of Jesus; she had witnessed His divine power, raising her brother from the dead!  Her life had been so changed by Jesus that her concern of what others thought of her had decreased.  Her devotion was so focused on Jesus that it hardly mattered whether others liked her or approved of her.  Can you and I find this confidence?  (Continued)

Father, I want my life to be so identified with you that my entire self-worth is solely based on what you think of me!  In Jesus’ name, amen.