The Cost of Devotion

Matthew 26:6–13 (NIV)

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Opening Reflection

There are moments in our walk with God
when love does not look practical.

It does not look measured.
It does not wait for approval.

It simply… pours.

In Matthew 26:6–13 NIV, a woman enters the room carrying an alabaster jar—
filled with something costly.

Without hesitation,
she breaks it open
and pours it on Jesus’ head.

And almost immediately,
the room shifts.

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The Tension in the Room

The disciples begin to speak.

“Why this waste?”

To them, it doesn’t make sense.
It feels excessive.
Unnecessary.
Impractical… even irresponsible.

But Jesus responds differently.

“Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” — Matthew 26:10 NIV

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Devotional Insight — Perspective

The act didn’t change.

The perspective did.

The disciples saw waste.
Jesus saw worship.

They saw what could have been saved.
Jesus saw what was surrendered.

They saw something impractical.
Jesus saw something beautiful.

And isn’t that still true today?

The way we see something
shapes the way we respond to it.

There will be moments when devotion doesn’t look efficient.
When obedience doesn’t look strategic.
When love—freely given—feels like “too much.”

And in those moments,
we have a choice:

To evaluate it through human reasoning…
or to recognize it through God’s heart.

Because what looks like waste to one perspective
may be worship in another.

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A Deeper Layer — Timing (Holy Week)

There is something even deeper happening in this moment.

This act of love didn’t just carry value—
it carried timing.

As Jesus was nearing the cross,
this woman was preparing Him for burial.

“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” — Matthew 26:12 NIV

Before the betrayal…
Before the denial…
Before the suffering…

There was worship.

And what’s remarkable is this:

While others were debating the cost,
she was discerning the moment.

She didn’t delay her devotion.
She didn’t wait until it made sense.
She didn’t hold back until it was more convenient.

She poured… when it mattered most.

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A Deeper Truth — Discernment

Jesus had already spoken of what was to come.

Again and again,
He told His disciples that He would suffer,
that He would die,
and that He would rise again.

They heard Him.

But they didn’t fully perceive Him.

Maybe it was expectation.
Maybe it was misunderstanding.
Maybe it was the weight of what He was saying.

But whatever it was…
they missed the moment.

And yet—this woman did not.

Which reveals something powerful:

The disciples had information.
She had discernment.

They were near to Jesus…
but she was attentive to Him.

They were still trying to understand.
She recognized.

While they questioned…
she responded.

Not everyone who hears Jesus
is listening for the moment.

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Heart Check

So before asking,
“Is this too much?”

Maybe the better question is:

“Am I seeing this the way God sees it?”
…and
“Am I paying attention enough to recognize the moment?”

What is the “alabaster jar” in your life?

Is it your time?
Your comfort?
Your resources?
Your obedience in something you’ve been holding back?

Have you been measuring
what God is asking you to pour?

Or hesitating
because it might not make sense to others?

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Application

Today, consider this:

Where have you been calculating
instead of surrendering?

Where might you be hearing God—
but not fully discerning what He is saying?

Is there an act of love or obedience
you’ve been holding back
because it feels excessive…
or unclear?

Let this be the day you stop holding back.

Let this be the day you pour.

Not because it’s practical.
Not because it’s expected.

But because He is worthy.
And because the moment matters.

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Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing us what true devotion looks like. Thank You for reminding us that what the world may see as waste, You see as beautiful. Lord, refine my perspective and deepen my discernment. Help me not only to hear You, but to truly perceive what You are doing in each moment. Give me the courage to respond without hesitation, to pour without fear, and to trust You with what feels costly. Let my life be an offering that honors You, in the right moments and in the right ways.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Closing Reflection — Quiet Authority

While others were trying to make sense of the moment,
she discerned it.

And in the days leading to the cross,
that mattered.

Because not every opportunity to love
comes back around.

So as we walk through this Holy Week,
may we not just hear what God is saying—
but discern it.

May we not be so caught in our expectations
that we miss what He is revealing.

And when the moment comes…
may we recognize it,
and respond.

Because what is offered to Jesus
in a discerning moment
is never wasted.

Leona