What Does Worship Look Like?Sample

Opening Up 

What we see today as a beautiful expression of worship was not interpreted as such by many of those attending the dinner with Jesus.  As they watched Mary pour the expensive oil on her Lord, all they could think of was how wasteful her act was. In the opinion of many of the guests, Mary should have sold the oil and used the money to help the poor. They felt so strongly about this, that they verbally rebuked her. 

In her act of anointing Jesus, Mary opened herself up to the opinions and reactions of the other guests. She was willing to put herself in a vulnerable position by seeking only Jesus' approval and disregarding what anyone else thought. 

We may find ourselves in situations where we have to make a choice, whether to follow our hearts or be confined by what other's might think. There will always be someone who tends to be critical or easily finds fault. They may not agree with how we use our money, time, or talents. 

When we know we have to do something to obey Jesus, do we stop ourselves because someone might misunderstand? Do we refrain from speaking about something Jesus has done for us for fear of rejection? Do we limit how we worship to avoid being scolded?  

Mary may have considered possible ramifications of her worship. But her desire to please Jesus and bring honor to Him motivated her to step out in faith to worship Him freely. His opinion was all that mattered to her. 

If we are criticized by others, how can we respond to them in love? Will we let fear of what other people think control us or will we worship God from our hearts as Mary did?