Idolaters Hate True Acts of Worship
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
Today, I find myself searching—truly searching—for how to court the Most High King. Not just follow Him. Not just serve Him. I want to know how to love Him with pure abandon. In a world that spins louder and faster every day, especially here in the United States where distraction and division are so loud, I am craving a quieter truth because the church (especially me) needs a deeper intimacy.
As culture divides Left and Right, we as believers must rise above the noise. Because spiritually, there is only one throne, and only one King sits on it—Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach. Presidents and parties rise and fall, but the Word says it clearly: He anoints earthly rulers to build up or to tear down (Romans 13:1,4,6). What we think about government doesn’t hold eternal weight—only what Jesus thinks (Acts 5:29).
This week in our upcoming Bible study at the Tiny House, Courting God: A Christian’s Desire to Be a Heart on Fire, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to truly pursue Jesus—not out of routine, not out of religious habit, but out of pure love. I’ve read scripture, I’ve prayed. But as a storyteller, I understand best when God gives me allegory. And today—He did.
I ordered a gluten-free pizza from Domino’s, planning to stay in the office since Chris and the crew are working a job in McDonough. I added my usual Diet Coke, and when it arrived, the bottle was marked with the name “MARY.” I smiled, took a picture, and said aloud, “Come on, Jesus!”—because I knew He was speaking.
Immediately, the Spirit brought me to John 12:1–2, where Mary—the sister of Lazarus—anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive nard and wipes them with her hair. Judas scorns her, offended by what he sees as waste. But Mary’s actions speak of true courtship: lavish love, humble posture, unashamed worship.
I rewatched The Chosen, Season 4, Episode 8, where they portray this sacred scene. And again, I was moved to tears. I’ve always been more of a Martha—planner, doer, worrier. But today, Jesus showed me that Mary is the one who truly understood what it meant to court the King.
Her gift wasn’t just perfume. It was prophetic. She was anointing the Lamb of God for His coming sacrifice. It was an act of love and spiritual discernment, and in contrast, we see Judas—idolatrous, greedy, offended. The Holy Spirit whispered to me: “He is the idolater because of his love of money. Not her. It is always the idolaters who mock pure worship.”
That Diet Coke bottle was more than a name. It was a reminder. This is what love looks like. This is what courtship of the King looks like.
It looks like poured-out perfume.
It looks like sitting at His feet.
It looks like loosening your hair, your pride, your dignity, and saying: “You are worthy it all, Jesus!”
And now I understand. My prayer was answered not through thunder or fire, but through a bottle labeled “Mary” and a scripture scene I’ve read a hundred times. The Holy Spirit gently taught me that to court Jesus is not about perfection or performance. It’s about submission, adoration, and love—poured out freely at His feet.
So, I end this post with a heart both full and humbled. Courting Jesus isn’t about grand gestures or perfect routines—it’s about pure love, pure worship, and pure submission. Through something as small as a name on a bottle, the Lord reminded me that He sees me. He hears the cry of my heart, and He answers in ways that speak directly to my soul. Mary didn’t perform for applause. She didn’t anoint Him for attention. She simply loved Him well. That is the kind of love I long to offer—unfiltered, unashamed, undivided. May I never grow tired of sitting at His feet, giving Him my best, not out of duty or obligation, but out of devotion. That, my friend, is what it means to court the King.
🕊 Scripture Reference:
“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
—John 12:3 (NIV)
🙏 Prayer:
Jesus, You are worthy of all my affection. Teach me to love You like Mary did—with humility, generosity, and passion. Strip away every idol and help me sit at Your feet, unashamed. In a world full of noise and distraction, help me choose the better thing: You. Amen.
#CourtingTheKing #PureWorship #SitAtHisFeet #MaryHeart #DevotedNotDistracted #JesusIsWorthy #FaithOverCulture #YeshuaHaMashiach #NoWallsJustJesus #HeartOnFire #AnointedLove #TinyHouseMinistry
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