06 September 2025
Daily Devotion:
"The Fragrance of Worship"
John 12:3
New Living Translation
3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
Have you ever wanted to do something for someone but were afraid of what it would cost you? Can you think of a time when loving someone cost you your reputation in the community or a relationship with a friend? Perhaps there was a literal financial cost to your act of love.
Mary knew how to love lavishly. When she entered the place where Jesus was, she wasn't worried what others might think as she poured the costly perfume onto Jesus' feet. She didn't concern herself with the monetary value of the act oflove (John12:5). Her fragrant sacrifice filled the room. We can live joyfully when we learn to love lavishly. Let's love our communities. Let's serve our neighbors. Let our lives be a pleasing aroma to our God (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Joy will come when we live and love without counting the cost.
