Worship or waste?

Matthew 26:6-13 (NLT)

⁶ Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy.⁷ While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

⁸ The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. ⁹ “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?¹¹ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. ¹² She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. ¹³ I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

This passage is rich with truth and application. I wish we could all sit down together and each say what we see in it for I know that together we would see much more than I alone can see. Here are some things that stand out to me:
vs. 7 - Following Jesus cost the woman greatly. She gave willingly without being coerced.
vs. 8 - The disciples did not understand why the woman would make such a sacrifice.
vs. 9 - 12 Jesus knew the heart of surrender and obedience behind the gift. He could see beyond the disciples limited view.
vs. 13 - Jesus honored her for the offering she gave.
When have you been criticized for your obedience or sacrificial worship of the Lord Jesus? How did you handle the pressure when others simply could not understand what you were called to do? We need to realize others won't always understand our offering, our worship, our obedience, our call, our surrender, or our method. Only Jesus knows the value of what we bring to Him. We like to have the approval of others, but Jesus' approval is the only approval that truly matters. Let us seek no other honor than the honor He bestows!

Psalm 84:11(ESV)

¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.