Key Scripture
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name! — Hebrews 13:15
Devotion
In the Gospel of John, chapter 12, we read the beautiful account of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with costly perfume and wiping His feet with her hair.
This precious perfume, called spikenard, was imported from India. It was rare and extremely expensive, worth approximately 300 denarii—nearly a year's wages for an ordinary laborer. Imagine taking something so valuable, something that cost you so much, and pouring it out at the feet of Jesus!
Yet Mary didn't hesitate. She poured it all out in an act of extravagant love and worship.
Not everyone understood what she was doing. Judas questioned why the perfume hadn't been sold and the money given to the poor. He saw wastefulness, but Jesus saw the heart of a woman expressing her love and devotion to Him. Jesus understood the significance of her sacrifice, even when others criticized it.
Mary's act of worship wasn't about the value of the perfume alone. It was about the value she placed on Jesus.
Earlier, Mary had experienced the miraculous power of Jesus when He raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Jesus had declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25, KJV).
Mary had witnessed His power firsthand. She knew there was something extraordinary about this Man. He wasn't simply a teacher or a miracle worker. He was the One who had the power over death itself!
When we truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, our praise becomes more than words. It becomes a response of love, gratitude, honor, and surrender.
Jesus is worthy of our praise—not just when the answers come, the healing happens, or the breakthrough arrives, but even when we're still waiting. Even when our hearts are broken. Even when life doesn't look the way we hoped it would.
That is what makes praise a sacrifice. We choose to worship Him, not because everything around us is perfect, but because He is worthy, regardless of our circumstances.
Sometimes our alabaster box is filled with our time, our plans, our dreams, our tears, or the very things we've struggled to surrender. God isn't asking us to compare our sacrifice with someone else's. He's inviting us to bring Him our whole hearts.
When we know who Jesus is, we can worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). We can praise Him because He saved us, redeemed us, loves us, and chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
Sisters, what are you holding in your alabaster box today? Is there something you've been afraid to surrender? Is there a reason to praise Him that you've overlooked because you're focused on what hasn't happened yet?
Today, let's stop measuring our circumstances against God's goodness and start remembering who He is. Let's pour out our praise, not because we have everything we want, but because we have a Savior who is worthy of everything we have.
May our worship be more than a song we sing. May it be a life we pour out before Him in love and gratitude.
Jesus is worthy of all our praise, all our honor, and all our glory! Let's give Him our alabaster box!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You alone are worthy of all our praise, honor, and glory. Forgive us for the times we've allowed our circumstances, disappointments, or the opinions of others to keep us from giving You the worship You deserve.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You for who You truly are—the resurrection and the life, our Redeemer, our Savior, and our greatest treasure. Teach us to praise You in every season, not just when life is easy, but also when praise requires sacrifice.
Today, we lay our alabaster boxes at Your feet. We surrender our plans, our fears, our dreams, and everything we've been holding back. May our lives become an offering of love and devotion to You. Let our worship be genuine, our hearts be surrendered, and our lips continually proclaim Your goodness.
Holy Spirit, remind us daily of all that Jesus has done for us.
May we never lose our wonder, our gratitude, or our desire to worship Him. Let the fragrance of our devotion fill every place we enter and draw others closer to You.
In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen!
Personal Growth Scriptures
John 12:1–8; John 11:25–26; Psalm 34:1; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 12:1; John 4:23–24; Psalm 103:1–5; Philippians 4:6–7; Ephesians 1:3–7; Psalm 150:1–6
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