The Fragrance of Devotion (Devo by Stevo)
Part Three of "The Road to Jerusalem"
""Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
'Leave her alone,' Jesus replied. 'It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.'"
(John 12:1-8)
The Fragrance of Devotion: A Five-Day Devotional
Day 1: Extravagant Worship
Scripture: John 12:1-3 "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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."
From the Message: "Mary comes in with the small, extremely expensive bottle of fragrant oil. She breaks the seal and the first hints of fragrance fill room. Rather than using a few drops, she pours the entire container on Jesus' feet. It's a lavish display of devotion, leaving everyone in stunned silence."
Reflection:
Worship that truly honors God is rarely measured or calculated. Mary's act wasn't cautious or reasonable; it was extravagant and wholehearted. She didn't save some perfume for later or wonder if she was giving too much. She poured out everything, holding nothing back. Her worship wasn't concerned with social norms or practical considerations—it was an unrestrained expression of love and gratitude.
What would it look like for us to worship Jesus with this kind of abandon? Our most precious gift isn't a bottle of perfume—it might be our time, our talents, our security, our control, or our comfort. True worship often comes with a cost, and that cost reveals what we value most. When we give Jesus our very best—not our leftovers—we declare that He is worthy of everything we have.
Song Lyric: From "The Alabaster Jar" by Gateway Worship
"I will offer up my life in spirit and truth, pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You. In surrender I must give my every part; Lord, receive the sacrifice of a broken heart."
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I've offered You measured worship—careful, calculated, and convenient. Thank You for Mary's example of extravagant devotion. Give me the courage to break open my alabaster jar and pour it all out for You. Show me what I'm holding back and help me surrender it completely. May my worship cost me something and declare Your immeasurable worth. Amen.
Day 2: Devotion Through Vulnerability
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
From the Message: "But letting down her hair in the presence of men is an intimate, vulnerable act, probably considered scandalous by some."
Reflection:
Mary's act of worship wasn't just extravagant—it was vulnerable. In a culture where a woman's hair was carefully bound and covered, letting it down in public was shocking. She risked judgment and criticism to express her devotion to Jesus. True worship often calls us to vulnerable places, to set aside our dignity, our comfort, and our concern for others' opinions.
Authentic devotion to Jesus may sometimes look foolish to the world. It might require us to be vulnerable in ways that make others uncomfortable. Perhaps it means sharing your faith when it's not popular, making choices that others question, or serving in ways that don't bring recognition. When we worship Jesus with vulnerability, we acknowledge that His approval matters more than social acceptance. Like Mary, we choose to focus on Jesus alone, disregarding the stunned silence or critical whispers around us.
Song Lyric: From "Undignified" by David Crowder Band
"I will dance, I will sing, to be mad for my King. Nothing, Lord, is hindering the passion in my soul. And I'll become even more undignified than this."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often guard my dignity more carefully than I guard my devotion to You. Give me the courage to worship You with vulnerability, even when it looks foolish to others. Help me to care more about Your approval than social acceptance. Free me from the fear of what others might think so that I can express my love for You without restraint. May my worship be focused on You alone. Amen.
Day 3: When Worship Is Criticized
Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-22 "As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart... Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, 'How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!' David said to Michal... 'I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.'"
From the Message: "Whenever authentic worship breaks out, criticism is often close behind. Judas, the treasurer, is quick to label Mary's act as 'wasteful.' Her valuable oil could help the poor. His objection seems reasonable. I would have probably responded similarly. Perhaps you would, too."
Reflection:
Mary's act of devotion was immediately met with criticism. Judas disguised his true motives with seemingly reasonable objections—couldn't this valuable resource be better used elsewhere? Authentic worship often attracts criticism, even from those within the faith community. When we express wholehearted devotion to Jesus, it can make others uncomfortable, perhaps because it exposes the measured nature of their own commitment.
Like Judas, our criticism of others' worship often reveals something about our own hearts. When we find ourselves questioning someone's expression of devotion to Jesus—whether it seems too emotional, too costly, or too unconventional—we should examine our own motives. Are we truly concerned about theological correctness and good stewardship, or are we uncomfortable with displays of devotion that exceed our own? Jesus defended Mary's worship, and He defends our authentic expressions of love for Him as well.
Song Lyric: From "Let Them See You" by JJ Weeks Band
"Let them see You in me, let them hear You when I speak, let them feel You when I sing, let them see You, let them see You in me."
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for defending Mary's worship against criticism. Forgive me for the times I've been like Judas—quick to judge others' expressions of devotion based on my own comfort level or preferences. Help me to recognize and root out the hidden motives behind my criticism. And when my own worship is criticized, give me courage to continue pouring out my love for You without reservation. May I care more about Your approval than human judgment. Amen.
Day 4: What We Hold Onto
Scripture: Matthew 19:21-22 "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth."
From the Message: "I'm going to challenge you today to think about that thing, or those things, that you're holding onto, those things that keep you from being truly devoted, that make it hard to see Jesus, or that make it difficult for you to dive into the deep end of God's grace-filled purpose and mission for your life."
Reflection:
Mary was able to pour out her precious perfume because she wasn't holding onto it. Unlike the rich young ruler who couldn't part with his wealth, Mary understood that her most valuable possession was meant to be surrendered. What are we holding onto that prevents us from experiencing the depth of relationship with Jesus that He desires for us? It might be our time, our plans, our reputation, our comfort, or our resources.
These things aren't necessarily bad in themselves, but they become hindrances when they sit on a throne in our hearts that should be reserved for Jesus alone. When we grip too tightly to our alabaster jars—the precious things we value most—we miss the opportunity to experience the joy of surrender. Mary teaches us that nothing we could possibly hold onto is worth more than what we gain when we pour it out at Jesus' feet.
Song Lyric: From "Surrender" by Marc James
"I'm giving You my heart and all that is within. I lay it all down for the sake of You, my King. I'm giving You my dreams, I'm laying down my rights. I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life."
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, gently reveal what I'm holding onto that keeps me from fully surrendering to You. Show me my alabaster jar—that precious thing I value too much to pour out. Whether it's my time, my plans, my reputation, my comfort, or my resources, help me to recognize when these good things have become ultimate things. Give me Mary's courage to break open what I've been preserving and pour it out as an act of worship. In releasing what I hold dear, may I find the freedom that comes with full devotion to You. Amen.
Day 5: The Spreading Fragrance
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
From the Message: "This is what authentic worship does--it changes the atmosphere, affecting everyone in the vicinity. When authentic worship comes, we cannot remain neutral. Hearts are poured out in adoration. The apostle Paul would later write to the Corinthians: 'We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ' (2 Corinthians 2:15). Our lives of devotion release fragrance, pleasing to God and affecting everyone around us."
Reflection:
When Mary broke open her alabaster jar, the fragrance filled the entire house. No one in that room could escape the penetrating aroma of her worship. Similarly, when we pour out authentic devotion to Jesus, it affects everyone around us. The fragrance of genuine worship doesn't stay contained—it permeates the atmosphere and touches everyone in its vicinity.
Paul tells us that our lives are meant to be "the aroma of Christ" to those around us. When we live in surrendered devotion to Jesus, we release a fragrance that others can sense, even if they can't quite identify what it is. Some are drawn to this aroma, while others are repelled by it. But no one remains neutral. Our wholehearted worship of Jesus—expressed through generous love, authentic faith, and sacrificial service—creates an atmosphere where others can encounter the beauty of Christ.
Song Lyric: From "Smell the Color 9" by Chris Rice
"And I would take no for an answer just to know I heard You speak, and I'm wondering why I've never seen the signs they claim lead straight to You. Are they too subtle for a skeptic's eye? Maybe I'm color blind or maybe just blind."
Prayer:
Father, thank You that authentic worship changes the atmosphere around us. Help me to live in such devoted surrender to Jesus that my life releases the sweet fragrance of Christ wherever I go. May my words, actions, and attitudes create an environment where others can sense Your presence. Let the aroma of my devotion draw others to You rather than push them away. I want my life to be a pleasing fragrance to You and a compelling witness to those around me. May the sweet perfume of worship fill every space I inhabit. Amen.
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Steven E Fairbanks
Steven E Fairbanks
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