DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EXTRAVAGANT WORSHIP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – EXTRAVAGANT WORSHIP

"And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.  Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.  But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, 'Why was this fragrant oil wasted?  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they  criticized her sharply.  But Jesus said, 'Let her alone.  Why do you trouble her?  She has done a good work for Me.' "  (Mark 14:3-6)

Have you ever been accused of being too fanatical in your love and service for Jesus?  There are always those around us who do not understand our devotion to Christ.  The woman in this story was so in love with Jesus that she was extravagant in her worship.

There were those who considered her extravagance a waste of valuable resources.  But the woman was not concerned with how much her worship cost.  She freely poured it out.  

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There will always be people who criticize extravagant worshipers.  If someone becomes emotional during the worship service, the critics think it is inappropriate to have such outbursts.  Even the simple act of raising our hands in worship will cause some people to think it is an attempt to get recognition.  Some will say, "They are just showing off their piety to get attention."

But Jesus did not criticize the woman.  Instead, he said, "Let her alone," and He praised her for the good work she had done.

We need to be careful in our criticism of other people's style of worship.  Sure, there are fakes, but Jesus will take care of them.  Some people are more reserved and worship quietly, while others are more expressive.  Jesus receives both when they come from the heart of love.    

Love,  Dad