Read: John 12:1-8

Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then, in a more daring manner, she wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation. In first-century Middle Eastern culture, respectable women never let down their hair in public. But true worship is not concerned about what others think of us (2 Sam. 6:21-22). To worship Jesus, Mary was willing to be thought of as immodest.

Some of us may feel pressured to be perfect when we go to church so that people will think well of us. But a healthy church is a place where we can let down our hair and not hide our flaws behind a facade of perfection and supposed piety. In church, we should be able to reveal our weaknesses to find strength rather than conceal our faults to appear strong.

Worship does not involve behaving as if nothing is wrong; it is making sure everything is right – right with God and with one another. We may be able to fool others by trying to depict ourselves as perfect and holy. But we have to keep in mind that we will never be able to fool God or hide anything away from Him (Jer. 16:17; 23:24). It is always good that we be truthful before God like David (2 Sam. 12:13). Let us not hide behind a facade. Instead, let us be open and honest with God and with others. Our worship is right only when we are right with God and with others.