Day Twenty One: Undignified Worship
Does your dignity limit your adoration of Jesus? In today’s reading, we find an undignified moment that encapsulates the essence of devotion and the clash between appearances and true worship.
Whenever Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is in the spotlight in the gospels, she seems to emerge in some way that the dominant culture would have considered undignified; whether it was sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn when her sister Martha was working hard at entertaining guests (Luke 10:38-42) or here as she anoints Jesus’ feet with oil and wipes his feet with her hair. Whether she faces criticism from her sister or the betrayer, Judas, it’s a tale of contrasting perspectives on duty, appearances, and the profound beauty of undignified worship.
In this passage, Judas critiques the perceived waste of expensive perfume, suggesting it could have been sold for the benefit of the poor. In the criticism, we’re faced with the tension between societal expectations and the heart of worship. However, Mary, undeterred by societal expectations, understands the beauty of being undignified before the Lord.
In this action, she embodies the spirit of King David, who declared in 2 Samuel 6:22, “I will become even more undignified than this.” David, dancing with abandon before the Ark of the Covenant, faced the disapproval of Michal, his wife, who scorned him for his lack of royal decorum. Similarly, Mary disregards the judgment of those around her, choosing instead to express her love for Jesus in a way that transcends social norms.
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume goes beyond the physical; it is a symbolic pouring out of her heart, an undignified expression of deep love and gratitude.
Her willingness to be undignified before the Lord mirrors David’s understanding that true worship often requires stepping beyond set expectations. In anointing Jesus and washing his feet with her hair, she foreshadows Jesus’ undignified actions at the upcoming Last Supper when He washes the disciples’ feet and teaches them how to love one another through sacrificial, humble service (John 13:1–20).
Undoubtedly, Mary’s act of devotion challenges us to examine our own worship. Are we constrained by the expectations of others or driven by a desire to be seen as responsible and pragmatic? Or do we, like Mary, understand the beauty of being undignified before the Lord, expressing our love and devotion in ways that may seem extravagant to the world?
Undignified worship requires authenticity, a willingness to lay aside societal norms, and a boldness to express our love for God with abandon. Mary’s example teaches us that true worship is not concerned with appearances or societal approval but is an intimate, personal connection concerning Jesus alone.
Whenever Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is in the spotlight in the gospels, she seems to emerge in some way that the dominant culture would have considered undignified; whether it was sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn when her sister Martha was working hard at entertaining guests (Luke 10:38-42) or here as she anoints Jesus’ feet with oil and wipes his feet with her hair. Whether she faces criticism from her sister or the betrayer, Judas, it’s a tale of contrasting perspectives on duty, appearances, and the profound beauty of undignified worship.
In this passage, Judas critiques the perceived waste of expensive perfume, suggesting it could have been sold for the benefit of the poor. In the criticism, we’re faced with the tension between societal expectations and the heart of worship. However, Mary, undeterred by societal expectations, understands the beauty of being undignified before the Lord.
In this action, she embodies the spirit of King David, who declared in 2 Samuel 6:22, “I will become even more undignified than this.” David, dancing with abandon before the Ark of the Covenant, faced the disapproval of Michal, his wife, who scorned him for his lack of royal decorum. Similarly, Mary disregards the judgment of those around her, choosing instead to express her love for Jesus in a way that transcends social norms.
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume goes beyond the physical; it is a symbolic pouring out of her heart, an undignified expression of deep love and gratitude.
Her willingness to be undignified before the Lord mirrors David’s understanding that true worship often requires stepping beyond set expectations. In anointing Jesus and washing his feet with her hair, she foreshadows Jesus’ undignified actions at the upcoming Last Supper when He washes the disciples’ feet and teaches them how to love one another through sacrificial, humble service (John 13:1–20).
Undoubtedly, Mary’s act of devotion challenges us to examine our own worship. Are we constrained by the expectations of others or driven by a desire to be seen as responsible and pragmatic? Or do we, like Mary, understand the beauty of being undignified before the Lord, expressing our love and devotion in ways that may seem extravagant to the world?
Undignified worship requires authenticity, a willingness to lay aside societal norms, and a boldness to express our love for God with abandon. Mary’s example teaches us that true worship is not concerned with appearances or societal approval but is an intimate, personal connection concerning Jesus alone.
Posted in Lent
No Comments