What Does Your Worship SMELL Like?

That’s a strange question! I read again this week the story of Mary anointing the feet of Christ (John 12:1-11). I think this is such a beautiful story of sacrifice, love and devotion. The story took place a little before Passover while Jesus was in Bethany. This is the same town that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (another really awesome story). To set the scene you have a dinner; Martha in the kitchen working diligently, Lazarus sitting at the table beside Jesus, and then there was Mary. Mary took about twelve ounces of very expensive oil extracted from a plant grown in India and poured it all over Jesus’ feet. She then began wiping them with her hair. What a beautiful scene, but you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. First, you have Martha busying herself and not engaged in the worship. You also have one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, questioning Mary’s motive. And then there was Jesus with an opportunity to use this to bring Himself glory. It is so cool how Jesus puts everything in perspective. After being questioned about the financial aspect of the offering by Judas, who Jesus knew would soon betray Him, Jesus took that question and said, “For the poor you have with you always but Me you do not have always.”

We can take many things from this encounter. First, don’t get so busy that you forget to worship the Lord. We spend so much time in ministry preparing for the work of the Lord that we sometimes forget to do that for which we are preparing. Secondly, we need to offer our best to the Lord everyday. Does our worship smell like the finest of perfumes or does it smell not so sacrificial? Make every effort to offer your best to the Lord at all times in everything you do. And finally, don’t miss any opportunity to worship your Savior. Don’t let public opinion sway you from what God has created you to do. There are so many times when you may think to yourself, “What are others going to think of my worship?” Do yourself and the Lord a favor by only concentrating on what pleases God and not what pleases man.

So FBC Canton Worship Choir, Band & Orchestra, may your worship SMELL beautiful this week! Aaron