Bold in Your Faith Devotional

Begin by reading Matthew 26:6-13

In this passage, it becomes evident that this woman, Mary, sister of Lazarus, was bold in her faith. Mary comes before Jesus with the intent to fully serve and worship Him. By approaching Jesus in complete confidence, Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume and pours it all out for Him. Incredibly, this displays to us a demonstration of how Mary emptied her whole life for the one that she loved. Within the context of this story, Mary’s actions were entirely against the social and expected norms. When the disciples saw her, they questioned her ministry. They saw that it would be more beneficial to sell the ointment and give the money to the poor.

What the disciples wanted to do was not wrong, but the intention behind their hearts was questionable. Unfortunately, the disciples judged on what they believed could have been a more remarkable ministry. What God had called Mary to do did not make sense to the disciples. Yet, Jesus saw in her a commitment to Him. She illustrates that we are serving an audience of one. Therefore, we must make choices based on following Jesus and His Word, not on how others believe we should follow Him.

• Name a time in your life when God called you to be bold in your faith in a way that genuinely challenged you. Were you able to follow through with what God had called you to? How did that decision impact your life?

• God calls us to serve differently from one another. Sometimes, what God calls us to do will not make sense to others. Will you be willing to follow Him and give it all to Him even when it does not entirely make sense? Why or Why not?

Overall, Mary demonstrates an amazing example of true worship, and Jesus was pleased by her. She was willing to give everything to Jesus without even needing proof that He was who He said He was. Just by simply believing, Mary had complete faith. Nothing stopped Mary from serving the Lord, not even the judgment of the disciples. She focused only on Christ and served purely because she wanted to worship Him. In applying this to our own life, we can see that God has called us to surrender all we have and all we are to Him, follow Him boldly in faith even when it does not make sense, and serve because we desire to worship Him.

• Mary gave it all to Jesus to rightfully worship Him. What are two or three areas in your life that you need to give to the Lord to devote yourself to Him entirely?

• What is one way that you can act boldly in your faith this week to serve Christ?

• Who is one person in your life that you trust and can share this information with to keep you accountable?

Close by praying that God would reveal how you can boldly serve and worship Him. Ask that He would provide the strength and courage you need to surrender everything to Him so you can follow Him in complete devotion.