The Alabaster Offering: Worship That Pours Everything Out (Daily Devotional)

Scripture Reference: John 12:1-8

Today’s Thought:

• Her perfume wasn’t just fragrance—it was faith.

• Her offering wasn’t just expensive—it was prophetic.

• Her worship wasn’t convenient—it was costly. And Jesus called it beautiful.

      Pour Out Your life today

Devotional:

We live in a world that glorifies busyness. Even within the church, our calendars are filled with service, programs, and ministry events. These acts of service are good—they are biblical. Yet even the good can become the enemy of the best if we begin to confuse activity with intimacy. Mary of Bethany didn’t make that mistake.

She understood that being near Jesus was greater than doing things for Jesus. While others around her scrambled with preparations, spoke of charity, or argued over practicality, Mary was focused on presence. She entered the room holding an alabaster jar—precious, fragrant, costly—and with quiet courage, she broke it open at His feet.

The room was instantly filled with the aroma of her sacrifice. Mary’s act was more than symbolic. It was prophetic. Jesus Himself said it was in preparation for His burial. Mary may not have known the full weight of what she was doing, but she knew who she worshiped and served. She gave all that she had to the One who had given her everything.

In contrast, Judas spoke up—not in defense of the poor, as he claimed—but out of selfishness. Martha, too, though well-meaning, was distracted by service while Jesus sat in her living room. Both represent a very modern struggle: doing for Jesus without spending time with Him. Jesus wasn’t moved by the activity around Him. He was moved by the heart of the one who adored Him.

He defends Mary. Jesus tells the others to “Leave her alone and that she was anointing his body for burial."[1] This is the only act in Jesus’ earthly ministry that He promised would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. And it was done by a woman. In a culture that rarely gave women a voice, Jesus gave her a legacy

Closing Encouragement:

This life is full of good things—important things. But even our best offerings are empty if they are not rooted in love for Christ. You don’t need to earn His attention. You already have it. He invites you to come close. To be seen. To be loved. And to pour your worship out freely… Just like Mary did.

A Call to Reflection:

We often battle the same temptations:

• To measure our spiritual value by what we accomplish.

• To believe we don’t have time to sit still.

• To let worship be confined to Sunday services.

• To forget that the goal is not success, but Jesus Himself.

How often do we allow the noise of our day, the expectations of others, or the drive to produce to rob us of quiet moments at His feet?

Even in ministry, we can be so focused on the kingdom that we miss the King. But Mary shows us a better way. She teaches us that stillness is not a sign of weakness. It is a strength. She reminds us that the most important thing we can do is to give Jesus our attention and our adoration. She shows us that when we offer Him everything, no matter the cost, He sees, He receives, and He honors.

In the final hours before the cross, Jesus was ministered to—not by a priest or a rabbi, but by a worshipper. When we worship like Mary, we touch heaven. And like Mary, we are seen, loved, and honored by the King of Kings.

Journaling Questions:

1. When was the last time I spent time with Jesus without an agenda—just to be near Him?

2. What “alabaster jar” am I holding onto—something costly or deeply personal—that Jesus may be asking me to pour out?

3. In what ways have I confused serving God with simply being with Him?

4. What distractions tend to pull me away from stillness and adoration?

5. How would my life look different if I worshiped from a place of love, not obligation?

Prayer: Jesus, teach me to value Your presence above everything I can do for You. Help me to see that the consummate offering I can give is myself. Let me be like Mary, willing to pour out everything because I know You are worth it all. Silence the noise around me, still the striving within me, and draw me into the beauty of quiet worship. May my life be a fragrance that pleases You. Amen.

[1] John 12:7