EXTRAVAGANT WORSHIP

March 18

Bible Reading: John 12:1-8

John 12:3, “Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

It was an audacious act of worship!  Mary loved Jesus.  Jesus had just raised her brother from the dead. One can imagine the depth of gratitude she felt.  It was the same Mary who “sat at the Lord’s feet listening,” while her sister was busy and distracted. She loved Jesus and had a heart for worship.  So, on this occasion, she poured out her vial of expensive perfume, estimated to be worth the equivalent to a year’s worth of wages, and wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair.  It would have taken a lot of courage on her part to do such a thing amidst that group of men.  But she wasn’t thinking of them. She had her eyes set on her Savior!

So, in that extravagant act of worship, Mary sacrificed her costly perfume.  As did the wise men traveled across a continent, over “field and fountain, moor and mountain,” bearing their expensive gifts (including myrrh), and Nicodemus who braved expulsion and worse, when he prepared Jesus for burial with spices estimated to be worth about $150,000! 

Extravagance has to do with spending too much or beyond what is reasonable.  We might say that a person is being extravagant when they go beyond the norm.  There’s a tendency to gravitate towards what is reasonable or expected in our “religious” dealings.  It is expected of a Christian to attend church, to read the Bible, and pray.  We might even limit our doings to the minimum we can get away with.  But worship doesn’t work that way.  In worshiping Jesus, the one who died for our sins, nothing is too much.  It’s far better to think of worship in personal terms—in who Jesus is and what He has done for me—and respond accordingly (Romans 12:1-2)!

The Apostle Paul commended the Macedonian believers, because they supported their brethren, giving beyond their means (2 Corinthians 8:3).  As Paul noted, they exercised such extravagance because “they gave themselves first to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5).  Therin lies the key.  When Jesus has all of us, then we are not afraid to give our all in worship!

“God spilt the life of His Son that the world might be saved; are we prepared to spill out our lives for Him?” — Oswald Chambers

I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE
I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou mightst ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou done for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou done for Me?

My Father’s house of light,
My glory-circled throne
I left for earthly night,
For wanderings sad and lone;
I left, I left it all for thee,
Hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee,
Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,
More than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony,
To rescue thee from hell;
I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,
What hast thou borne for Me?
I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,
What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above,
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love;
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment