“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:1-2 ESV

What does your worship look like? Is your worship merely singing a song, staring at lyrics up on the screen while in church? Is it a song? I have great news for you! Worship is more than that. I think worship is something that is often misinterpreted in American culture; it is seen as an exchange: I give you my singing, you give me your presence. However, in Jewish culture, worship was seen as a humble submission to God. Oftentimes they would physically lower themselves to show their submission in reverence. It was a physical surrender to God. It was a sacrifice. What does biblical worship look like and how can we practically reflect that and beautifully embody it sacrificially?

 In Luke 7:36-50 there is a woman whose name is not mentioned, but what is mentioned is that she was “a sinful woman.” She has with her an Alabaster flask, which is essentially a jar of expensive ointment. She begins to anoint Jesus’ feet with the oil and cries at his feet, wiping the tears away with her hair. She also kisses his feet and continues to do this despite the Pharisees and others judging her. Jesus defends her, forgives her, and even recognizes her faith.

What did she sacrifice? She sacrificed her reputation: The text says she was a sinful woman, which at the time most likely would mean she was a prostitute. For her to enter a Pharisee’s home was pretty dangerous socially, but she chooses Jesus over her image. She sacrificed financially: She brought an Alabaster flask which was worth a year’s wages. The oil was very costly, she gave Jesus the very best she had. She sacrificed emotional control and dignity: she sits at his feet weeping, undone by seeing her messiah. Also in Jewish culture, a woman letting her hair down would be seen as shameful, she doesn’t care, she is unashamed of her devotion. She sacrifices status: Kissing feet in the Jewish culture was the ultimate sign of humility and submission, for her to do this was extremely powerful. Jesus recognized her love and sacrifice, and forgives her sins, which he even describes as “many.”

I think something drives this kind of worship, it’s two  words: “hunger” and “thirst.” In Matthew 5:6, Jesus says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” The Greek words used here for hunger and thirst are peinaō and dipsaō. They go much deeper than just physical hunger and thirst, let’s break down each one. Hunger in this sense was a deep desire or deep spiritual longing, a need. For thirst it meant a burning need for. I think what drove the sinful woman’s act of sacrifice was a deep longing and burning need for righteousness. She craved righteousness, but not self-righteousness, she wanted to be made right with God. And more than that, she didn’t keep it internal, it drove her to action, and she was “filled,” she was forgiven and her faith made her well. 

She is a model disciple because of her radical response to Jesus. Her worship was faith-filled, desperate, costly, and undignified. We should strive for the same heart posture. We should go into worship longing for him, to pour ourselves out at his feet. We should humble ourselves and be undignified, not caring what people around us think. We should worship primarily to give not to receive. Sometimes dignity is the biggest sacrifice for us. We can give finances or time to talk to him. I assume if you’re reading this, than you are fasting, that is beautiful, make sure to remember why you’re fasting, to give honor and glory to God and exalt him above yourself. We should give to God freely out of our love for him, not out of obligation. I think hunger like the sinful woman can lead to revival, so let’s pursue the Lord in this fast with a longing to honor him, and love him with everything. 

Listening prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit for hunger and thirst for the Lord. Ask him how you can worship him sacrificially. Listen to the Holy Spirit and respond accordingly.

Prayer: Lord I pray that you would help us to have a hunger and thirst for your righteousness. Your word says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, so I pray that you would fill us with your spirit and empower us to worship sacrificially. I lay down my walls and I give you my full heart and my devotion. May you glorify yourself in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Resources: Sacrificial Worship

  • “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 ESV
  • “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ESV
  • “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 ESV
  • “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” Daniel 6:10 ESV
  • “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV

Worship Songs: