3-29–20 Sermon Notes “Preparation” John 12:1-8
This week, we begin a new series “The Main Event” zeroing in on the weeks before and after the death of Jesus.
Introduction
All four Gospels tell this or a similar story. Details vary in the four accounts, Matthew 26:6-13) and Mark 14:3-9 being similar to each other and also to John’s account (the most significant difference being that, in Matthew and Mark, the woman anoints Jesus’ head and in John anoints Jesus’ feet).
Before the message begins, let’s listen to Steve Green sing the following song written by Gloria Gaither and Bill George.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFod5lfX_k
One day a plain village woman
Driven by love for her Lord
Recklessly poured out a valuable essence
Disregarding the scorn
And once it was broken and spilled out
A fragrance filled all the room
Like a prisoner released from his shackles
Like a spirit set free from the tomb
Broken and spilled out
Just for love of you, Jesus
My most precious treasure
Lavished on thee
Broken and spilled out
And poured at your feet
In sweet abandon
Let me be spilled out
And used up for thee
Lord you were God’s precious treasure
His loved and His own perfect Son
Sent here to show me the love of the Father
Just for love it was done
And though You were perfect and holy
You gave up Yourself willingly
You spared no expense for my pardon
You were used up and wasted for me
Broken and spilled out
Just for love of me, Jesus
My most precious treasure
Lavished on me
Broken and spilled out
And poured at my feet
In sweet abandon
Let me be spilled out
And used up for me
Message
Read John 12:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
12 “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 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.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Let’s unpack a few of these verses.
“A Sweet Smell”
Verse 3 – “Then Mary…….poured it on Jesus’ feet….” Because the perfume was very expensive, Mary’s actions demonstrated great sacrifice, devotion and love. What she did was unusual in several ways. First of all, oil was usually poured on the head. In addition, a respectable woman usually would not let her hair down in public. Both of these actions showed humility; she did not care what anyone else but Jesus thought about her. Perhaps she sensed that her opportunity to express devotion to Jesus would soon be over, so she did all that she could. Jesus knew that she could have used her resources for other people or purposes; but knowing that His time on earth was short, he graciously received this act of devotion. This shows how special it is to Jesus when someone chooses to do something selfless just for Him. Mary’s faith and devotion to the Lord is the highest example of what God desires in His followers. For this reason, Jesus stated that her act of love would be told wherever His message is preached.
A side note: In Mark 14:3, it says that Mary actually broke the jar containing the perfume. This makes one think that she intended to use all the contents and not just a little dab or two.
“Judas Causes a Stink”
Verses 4-6 – “……Judas Iscariot,….. objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
John tells us a very important detail, not revealed to us by either Matthew or Mark: the one who incites the disciples to anger is Judas. (Mark 14:4-5) Now things start to make sense. John not only informs us that Judas is behind all this reaction, he also informs us as to why. Judas, John indicates, is a thief. Now here is a bit of information we find nowhere else in the New Testament, yet this one bit of information causes all of the other pieces to fall into place. A number of theories are offered as to why Judas would betray our Lord. Some say that he is (almost helpfully) trying to force our Lord’s hand, so that Jesus will get on with establishing the kingdom.
The explanation for the betrayal seems really quite simple. Judas was never a believer. He did not know the love of God, nor did he show it. In this sense, Judas was very different from the other eleven disciples. But in another way, Judas was really very much like the rest of the disciples, at least up to that point in time. The truth is that they did not understand what our Lord was about, either. Like Judas, they did not expect Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary. They did what they could to prevent it (e.g., Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about such things, and he sliced off the servant of the High Priest’s ear with his sword.) Over and over again, we see the disciples preoccupied with their own selfish ambitions. They hoped our Lord’s kingdom would enhance their status and power. They argued among themselves as to who was the greatest. The fact is that Judas did not stick out like a proverbial sore thumb. In fact, he fit right in! No wonder they trusted him with the money bag and were even inclined to follow his lead in attacking Mary for being wasteful.
“Jesus’ Response”
Rather than ‘jumping all over’ Judas and the other disciples, Jesus simply said, “Leave her alone,” …. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Remember that Mark’s account included the rest of the disciples who joined Judas in chastising Mary for her lavish display of devotion.
Concluding Remarks and Application
Let’s take a moment and think about what was going through Jesus’ mind during this event. On the one hand, He must have been pleased with Mary’s action while knowing full well that this was preparation for what was to come. On the other hand, He may have been disappointed that His closest friends did not understand what lay ahead and/or appreciate the actions of Mary. We should not fail to see that His response was not one of anger, but one of a ‘mild’ rebuke. His response shows us how much He really cared about His disciples and even Judas. And isn’t it wonderful that He doesn’t respond to our ‘short shortsightedness’ with righteous wrath and indignation.
Take time now as Easter approaches to reflect on the willingness of Jesus to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. And remember that He was broken and poured out for us.