Key Verses

Matthew 26:6–13

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating,[b] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Introduction

Today we're going to talk about something that’s really important to every believer: worship. But I want to challenge how you think about worship. When we think of worship, we often picture singing at church, lifting our hands, or maybe some of the big worship events we see on Instagram. But what if I told you that worship is not just a one-time act, but something that can change your life—and even the world—over time?

In Matthew 26:6-13, we see a powerful example of worship that Jesus honors. It's an act that starts small but has an eternal impact. Just like a seed that grows into something much bigger, worship starts in your heart but can produce incredible results. So, the big question is: What is worship? What does it mean for us today, and how does it shape our lives?

Let’s dive in and discover how worship is like a seed that grows and produces a harvest.

Key Points

1. Worship Begins with Motivation

When we look at the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume in this passage, we see her motivation for worship. Jesus had forgiven her, healed her, and shown her love, and she was so grateful that she poured out this costly perfume as an offering. It wasn’t about the act itself but about what was happening in her heart.

Jesus is Worthy of Worship

She worshiped because she saw Jesus as worthy. He had shown her mercy, power, and love.
When you think about Jesus, what motivates you to worship? Is it His forgiveness, His love, or His power?
Just like the woman in this story, you and I worship because we recognize who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
For some of you, maybe your worship has become routine or just about going through the motions. But real worship starts with seeing Jesus for who He truly is—worthy of everything you have.

2. There Will Always Be Obstacles to Worship

The woman faced criticism from the disciples. They didn’t understand why she would waste such an expensive perfume on Jesus. In fact, they were upset and thought the money should’ve gone to the poor. But Jesus didn’t care about their opinion. He knew this act of worship was about something deeper than money—it was about honoring Him.

Obstacles to Worship:

Other People’s Opinions: The disciples were right there with Jesus, yet they didn’t understand her act of worship. Sometimes, people close to us might criticize us for the way we worship or the way we live out our faith.
Inappropriate Timing: They questioned why she would do this now. People might question your timing or the way you choose to worship. Sometimes, it feels like the world or even your friends don’t understand.
Not a Priority: They thought the money could be better spent elsewhere. People might even tell you that other things in life—like school, sports, or friends—are more important than worship.

Worship will never come without obstacles. You might feel pressure to fit in, to do what everyone else is doing, or to ignore your faith because it’s not popular. But Jesus is always worthy of our praise, no matter the obstacles.

3. Worship Always Produces a Harvest

When the woman anointed Jesus with perfume, she didn’t just bless Him in that moment; her worship had an eternal impact. Jesus said that wherever the Good News is preached, this woman’s act of worship would be remembered. Her small, humble act of worship would echo throughout history.

Immediate Harvest:

When you worship, there’s an immediate change. You are changed. Just like the woman who was surrounded by the fragrance of the perfume, your heart is transformed when you offer genuine worship.

Long-Term Harvest:

Worship doesn't just affect you in the moment; it has a long-lasting impact. When you choose to live a life of worship, people notice. Your life becomes a testimony of God’s greatness.

Eternal Harvest:

The best part? Worship has an eternal reward. Just like this woman’s act is remembered forever, your worship will never be forgotten by God. Even the smallest acts of kindness and devotion are stored up in heaven.

Conclusion

Worship is not just about what we do on Sunday mornings or when we’re in church. Worship is a seed. It starts small, maybe with a simple prayer or act of service, but it can grow into something that transforms your life, impacts those around you, and has eternal significance.

I want to challenge you to think about your worship. What motivates you to worship? Are you letting obstacles hold you back? And do you realize that the worship you offer today will have a lasting impact on your life and eternity?

Let's not wait for the perfect moment to worship Jesus. Instead, let’s offer our lives as an act of worship—whether through our time, our talents, or our hearts. And remember, no worship is ever wasted. There’s always a harvest.

Questions

In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to worship?
How does understanding that worship is "never wasted" change the way you approach worship?
What does it mean to you that Jesus called the woman’s worship "a good thing"?
How do you think worship can become a response to God’s love, rather than a duty or obligation?

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Worship is a Seed