AN EXTRAVAGANT DISPLAY OF DEVOTION FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST MARK 14:3-9 May 8, 2016 INTRODUCTION: This beautiful story finds itself providentially placed between the Jews hatred for Christ and Judas treachery. The story of Mary s graceful and grateful act is one of the most beautiful on record; it s a story of loving devotion revealing the acceptable motive and true measure of Christian service. This story serves as almost the last kindness that Jesus had done to Him before the cross. This is the type story that would make a great movie. Matthew and John join Mark in telling it with their own Christ-honoring details. We are told that the city is Bethany, just east of Jerusalem, near the Mount of Olives, only about 2 miles outside of town. The scene takes place at the home of Simon the leper; undoubtedly a man that had been previously healed by the Lord Jesus. Simon invites Jesus and a few close friends over: Lazarus, Martha, Mary, and the disciples. It only stands to reason that once you invite Jesus into your heart you also invite Him into your home. Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. The Bible teaches that Jesus has been invited over for supper. Along with the other men, Jesus would be reclined on a low couch to eat, supported by his left arm and eating with his right. 1
Let s listen in on this conversation. Jesus, You probably hear this all the time from your disciples, but I want to personally thank you again for touching me and cleansing me of leprosy. Well, bless you Simon, I praise My Father in Heaven for bringing you to me. Lazarus raises his hand, Jesus, while we are on the subject, I will be eternally grateful to You for bringing me back from the dead. I never dreamed of a second chance at life. Oh, and by the way, had you not called, I would never have come, heaven is awesome! Conversation interrupted by: I. MARY S SACRIFICE. 3 Mark 14:3, And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. Mary is mentioned three times in scripture and each time she is at Jesus feet. 1. LISTENING. Luke 10:39 says, sat at Jesus feet and heard His word 2. SORROWING. John 11:32, Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet. 3. WOSHIPING. John 12:3 At His feet she found blessing; she brought her burdens, and she gave at His feet her best. 2
A. WHAT MARY GAVE. 3 Came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. Matthew called it very costly fragrant oil alabaster flask made of marble and very expensive itself; breaking it was a sign that all was to be used. Custom in the East was that if a glass was used by a distinguished guest, it was broken so that it would never again be touched by the hand of any lesser person. She as giving Christ her best and her all. very costly oil of spikenard perfume of pure nard; it was imported from India. v.5 teaches it was worth more than 300 denarii almost a year s salary in the first century. For example, it was estimated that the 5,000 men, plus women and children, could have been fed with 2/3 of this amount. (Mark 6:37 200 denarii) Mary had a lavish heart and hand - not cautious in giving, but reckless It is not the mentioned value of our gifts which He regards, but the love of the heart which gives them. A mite and a million have no moral value except that which the donor s motive supplies. 3
Love is not concerned to see how little it can decently give. There is a recklessness in love which refuses to count the cost. This woman acted on impulse of love because she knew in her heart of hearts that if she did not do it then, she would never do it at all. Done with reckless extravagance and out of a heart of love; an impulse of the moment. An adoring testimony of love and honor. She is being absolutely controlled by adoration for her Lord; she lost all sense of restraint and economy. The true worshiper gives Jesus whatever he has, knowing it is trifling compared to what has been received from Him. She lost herself in Him and as a result was not even conscious of others or her surroundings. B. WHY MARY GAVE. 3 Matthew and Mark mention anointing the head; John adds His feet. Head speaks of honor Feet speaks of humility Passover was coming in 6 days Lazarus had been raised from dead; her brother Simon their friend healed Mary s heart of gratitude caused her to give. Remember Mary sitting at Jesus feet listening to the Word. Mary s attentiveness to Lord s teaching 4
made her understand the significance of Jesus impending death better than the 12. II. THE DISCIPLES SARCASM. 4-5 Matt. 26:8, His disciples were indignant John 12:4, Judas Iscariot ask the questions Judas was spokesman; disciples were undiscerning, were quick to voice sympathy with Judas protest. Judas criticism sounded spiritual. Even though Judas spoke out, the disciples were indignant among themselves Prov. 18:17, The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him. Judas is a reminder to us that every time there is criticism of Christian generosity, somewhere behind that criticism there may be a Judas. A. QUESTION REVEALED MENTALITY. 4 Why was this fragrant oil wasted? I believe many would say that nothing given to Jesus in love is ever wasted. To be extravagant in giving to Jesus was in Judas opinion a waste. B. QUESTION REVEALED MOTIVE. 5 5
Mark 14:5, For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. Judas on more than one occasion is mentioned in reference to the poor. How about the Last Supper when Jesus revealed the betrayer. John 13:29, For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things we need for the feast, or that he should give something to the poor. Judas zeal for the poor was a mere cover-up for the greed and covetousness of His own heart. John 12:6, This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. No blow outs ; only slow leaks. If the 11 had agreed to sell the perfume and give it to the poor they probably would have never seen it because Judas would have stole it. v.5 teaches the money from perfume could have been given to the poor Mark 14:7, For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. In Matt. 25:34-36, Jesus had just taught that meeting the physical needs of His people is of the utmost importance and is a mark of genuine salvation. 6
Deuteronomy 15:11, For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.' Mark 14:7 teaches that opportunities to minister to the poor are always available. It offends the Creator when we neglect the poor. Proverbs 19:17, He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 17:5a, He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. Proverbs 21:13, Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard. Proverbs 22:2, The rich and the poor have this in common, the LORD is the maker of them all. Proverbs 28:8, One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor. III. JESUS STRAIGHT TALK. 6-9 A. A SERVING ACT. 6 7
she has done a good work for Me her gift was a work; a beautiful work. The common deeds of life become good works when they are done for Him. B. A SACRIFICIAL ACT. 8a She has done what she could what she had she did C. A SYMBOLIC ACT. 8b She had come beforehand to anoint my body for burial this is normally done at death in order that the body not smell in decomposition. However, she must have believed David s report in Ps. 16:10 Psalms 16:10, For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. D. A SIGNIFICANT ACT. 9 1. AN ASSUMPTION. wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world 2. A PREDICTION. what this woman has done will be also told as a memorial to her we are remembered by what we do. Jesus memorialized her generosity. 8
THOUGHT: Selfishness never Sacrifices CONCLUSION: Her act of worship not only brought joy to the heart of Jesus, and a fragrance to the house, but also blessing to the world. In Luke 10:42, Mary chose that good part In Mark 14:2, she has done a good work for Me 2 Samuel 24:24, nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing. Sacrifice is an essential part of worship and service to God. 9