Never A Waste

Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8

There are two accounts in scripture where Mary was accused of wasting time and resources and on both occasions, Jesus comes to her defense.

The first is found in Luke’s gospel 10:38-42. Martha (Mary’s sister) is being a gracious host by preparing a meal for Jesus. As she is laboring Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his word. Martha becomes upset that Mary isn’t helping her basically accusing her of being lazy. Jesus responds to Martha by saying “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Jesus is in no way rebuking Martha for her work while at the same time justifying Mary for her hungering and thirsting for God’s word. There is a time to work and there must be time for the word and when it is done rightly it is never a waste of time.

The second account is found in John 12:1-8 where Mary comes in to anoint Jesus for his burial. Again, Martha is working and Lazarus (who recently was raised for the dead) is reclining at the table. Mary brings with her a special perfume that many commentators say she was saving for her wedding day. When she breaks it open the fragrance fills the whole house. The fragrance is symbolic of the worshipful atmosphere that was created as she is again sitting a Jesus’ feet giving unto him in worship that which is most precious to her. The disciple Judas makes a smirky remark by saying that this could have been sold and better used for the poor. Jesus rebukes Judas by saying “Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” What Mary did was not a waste because she did it for the Lord.

Our lesson is that listening to the word and giving our best to Jesus in worship and adoration is never a waste of time or resources. When we come together in an assembly to worship, we need to remember that the best posture that we can imagine ourselves in is at Jesus’ feet. And when we break open our hearts and open up our ears it creates an atmosphere of worship that the Holy Spirit delights to dwell in and a sweet-smelling savor unto the Lord!

Pastor Robby