Beauty Will Save the World | Costly Worship - Chris Dew

In John 12:1-11, we encounter a powerful moment of extravagant worship that challenges our understanding of devotion. Mary's act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus' feet—worth a year's wages—wasn't practical or sensible by human standards. Yet it reveals a profound truth: when we truly encounter the beauty and power of Jesus, our response becomes costly, wild, and fragrant. This passage invites us to examine how we respond to Christ in polarizing moments. Are we like Martha, anxiously serving? Like Lazarus, simply enjoying the miracle? Like Judas, trying to leverage spiritual moments for personal gain? Or like the religious leaders, opposing what we don't understand? Mary shows us a different path—pouring out everything in response to encountering the One who is worth more than any earthly treasure. Her worship wasn't half-hearted Christianity; it was the potent real thing. When we grasp that Jesus gave up the most valuable treasure in the universe—Himself—for our sins, our lives naturally become a fragrant offering that either draws people to Christ or repels them. The question isn't whether we can conjure up passion for Jesus, but whether we've truly seen His beauty. When we do, giving Him our time, talents, treasure, and tribe becomes not a burden but a joy—like someone who discovers treasure in a field and gladly sells everything to obtain it.