Worship Matters SESSION

SESSION NOTES

Mary of Bethany

Overview and Anchor Texts

• Main Scriptures: Psalm 110, Mark 14, Luke 10, John 12, Psalm 27

• Focus: The lifestyle and offering of Mary of Bethany as a prophetic picture of the Church's worship and devotion in the Church age.

Psalm 110: Jesus' Rule and Our Role

• Trinitarian Dialogue: David hears a conversation between the Father and the Son. "The Lord said to my Lord..."

• Psalm 110: Covers from Jesus' Ascension to His return—what Jesus is doing NOW.

• Rule in the Midst of Enemies: Jesus is reigning now, from heaven, and releases His rule through His people.

• Free-Will Volunteers: The Church are those who offer themselves freely, not out of obligation.

• Priestly Leadership: Jesus rules through intercession and worship (Hebrews 7). This is how we are to lead also.

The Mary of Bethany Lifestyle

• Luke 10: Mary sat at Jesus' feet; Martha ran the program. Two postures: Presence-centered vs. People-centered.

• Jesus' Defends the worshipper: Only one thing is necessary (Psalm 27:4). Jesus twice defends Mary's worship in the Gospels.

Mark 14: The Extravagant Offering

• Context: Passion Week, after Triumphal Entry.

• The Offering: Mary breaks an alabaster flask of pure nard (a year's salary, or possibly her inheritance/wedding dowry).

• What It Meant:

  • Her past, present, future all poured out.

  • An act of total surrender and value.

  • Worship that bypasses programs and prioritizes presence.

The Cost and the Accusation

• Disciples' Response: Indignation, accusation of waste.

• Why: Her worship exposed their dullness. Her offering embarrassed their shallowness.

• Jesus' Response: "Leave her alone." He calls it beautiful, noble, right.

• Not About Money: It’s about worth – Jesus was worth everything to her.

Spikenard - The Fragrance of Eden

• Cultural Significance: Reserved for weddings; called the "fragrance of the lost garden."

• Symbolism: Her offering was the fragrance of worship before the fall—pure, unashamed.

• Result: The house was filled with the fragrance (John 12).

Prophetic Fulfillment and Global Implications

• Jesus' Prophecy: Wherever the gospel is preached, her story will be told (Mark 14:9).

• Why: Because this is what the gospel produces—worshipers.

• Isaiah 56: Foreigners will be joined and will minister to the Lord.

• Worship Movement: Mary's heart response will fill the earth. This is the Church Jesus is building.

Practical Takeaways

• Don’t Trade the One Thing: Worship is not one of many things—it's the main thing.

• Church is For God: Programs, impact, and followers are not God's metrics.

• Jesus Purchased You to Minister to Him: You are His priest, not His employee.

• Our Life = Free-Will Offering: Past, present, future poured out in love.

• Worship Pushes Back Darkness: Worship shifts atmospheres; demons hate it.

Final Thoughts

• Don’t reduce Mary & Martha to two types of people in church. Jesus commends presence, not performance.

• It’s not about resource allocation. It’s about valuing His presence.

• What God Finds Beautiful: A heart that ministers to Him.

• We Are Fulfilling Jesus' Prophecy: By preaching her story and emulating her devotion.

"She did what she could." —Jesus (Mark 14:8)

"The Father is seeking worshipers." —John 4:23

"One thing have I desired of the Lord..." —Psalm 27:4

Summary:
Mary of Bethany's extravagant worship is a prophetic picture of the church Jesus desires—a priesthood of free-will lovers who choose the one necessary thing: to pour out their lives in love at His feet. This is the fragrance that will fill the earth and how Jesus is ruling and reigning now, through the Church, in the midst of His enemies.