Mark 14:3-11
“3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. 4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. 6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
What a beautiful story.
You have here two different people: Mary and Judas.
Two different people with two different responses to their encounters with Jesus.
Snapshot of Mary:
•
Mary lavishes expensive perfume on
Jesus
•
She breaks the alabaster jar/box and
pours it on Jesus
•
In Bible times, alabaster boxes were
made of a rich marble-type stone (alabaster). Alabaster was a stone commonly
found in Israel and one of the precious stones used in the decoration of
Solomon’s
temple. These alabaster boxes or jars would be filled with expensive perfume to
keep them pure and unspoiled, and sealed with wax to retain and preserve the
scent. The perfume
in the alabaster jar would be sealed inside, when the owner wished to use it the
seal or neck had to be broken so that it could be used. The particular perfume
mentioned in this passage could have cost a year’s wage.
•
This is a picture of worship and
devotion lavished on Jesus
• This was the best she had to offer and she willingly poured it out as an act of worship. Traditionally anointing someone’s head with oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as holy. It was a symbol of honor. It symbolized that the person has been chosen by God.
Snapshot of Judas:
•
A snapshot of humanity and carnality
•
Judas scorns Mary for “wasting” the
perfume
•
If Judas wasn’t exaggerating, this eleven-ounce flask of nard was worth
about $30,000 (three hundred twelve-hour days at our minimum wage, a denarius
was a simple, full day’s
wage).
• Judas felt nothing in his heart except that he loved money more than he loved Jesus
Proximity does not guarantee intimacy.
Judas was with Jesus. He was around Jesus. He talked with Jesus. But Judas did not know Jesus. Proximity does not equal intimacy.
Mary treasured Jesus. Judas contradicted Jesus.
Both had been around Jesus. Both had encounters with Jesus. Nevertheless, they had completely different responses.
1.
What we do for Jesus is never a waste
Mark 14:4
4 Some of those at the table were
indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked.
John 12:4-6
“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.”
Judas
called Mary’s act of worship a “waste”. Judas saw things only from the natural.
Judas said that it should have been sold and given to the poor, but he was
really just thinking about himself. He was mad because he missed out on making
more money! Judas was only consumed with what he wanted and what he thought
would benefit him.
That
is not the way Mary saw it. For Mary this was not a waste. Instead, this was
worship. Mary lavished the expensive perfume on Jesus as an act of devotion. A
whole year’s
wages, gone in a moment just like that. She gave God her best, and did so with
no hesitation. In view of Jesus’ mercy and grace for her, this was her
reasonable act of worship toward her savior.
Romans 12:1 - “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this
is your spiritual worship.” (Or reasonable
service)
What
we do for Jesus is never a waste. Our lives are “LIVING” sacrifices for God. We
pour our lives out on the altar as a drink offering and tell God, “have your way
in my life!” The world may not understand. People may think you are wasting
your life. But what we give for Jesus will never be wasted and will never
spoil.
Every
dollar we give toward missions is worth it.
Every
minute we spend in prayer is worth it.
Every
person we talk to about Jesus is worth it.
Every
time we inconvenience our life to say “yes” to God is worth it.
Everything
we do for Jesus is worth it!
2.
Choosing anything else over Jesus will
always disappoint
Mark 14:10-11 - “10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to
the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to
hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to
hand him over.”
Judas
cared about money more than anything. So much so that Judas traded Jesus for
money! He was willing to give up the relationship he had with Jesus for a
fleeting moment of satisfaction. The only problem was that Judas was not happy
at all. In fact the Bible says that he was full of remorse and regret. Trading
his relationship with Jesus was not worth it in the end.
Mary,
on the other hand, gave up what could have been the most expensive, most
valuable thing she owned for Jesus. Judas traded Jesus for money, but she
traded money for Jesus!
There
is nothing that this world has to offer that is worth choosing over our
relationship with Christ. It may look good, it may seem worth it, but it will
always leave you feeling empty and regretful.
My
wife Melinda is a living example……
3.
Jesus is available TODAY!
Mark 14:7 - “7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can
help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.”
Jesus
knew that He would not be around for much longer. He knew the hour was coming
that he would no longer be with the disciples. While selling the alabaster jar
of perfume and giving it to the poor would have been a “good” thing, devoting
it to Jesus and giving it to Him was much better. Mary chose the “better” thing!
There was a window of opportunity for Mary, because Jesus was not always be
with them. So she struck while the iron was hot! She devoted herself to Jesus
while he was still around.
Today
is a good day to devote our life to Christ. Today is a good day to give all you
have over to Him. Why? Jesus is available today! If you have not placed your
faith in Christ, today is your day!!
Romans 10:9-10 - “9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that
you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your
faith and are saved.”
If
you don’t know Christ as your Lord and Savior, the window of opportunity is
open for you today! If you are born again, the window of opportunity is open
for someone else in your life! Jesus is available today! But there will be a
day when that window of opportunity will be closed.
John 9:4 - “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent
me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”
Let
us be like Mary and choose Jesus while the door is open!
Takeaways:
I.
Give God your best
- What we do for Jesus is not a waste. Jesus deserves more than just our
leftovers. He deserves our lives. Therefore, give God your best! Aim to be
extraordinary for God! We all want to be extraordinary. I know that I do! As
our senior pastor, Ron Hammonds once told me:
“Being extraordinary is being great in your
ordinary."
Be
faithful in the small things. Be consistent in your daily devotion. Trust God
in the big and small. And God will use you through it all.
II.
Remain steadfast through Trial
- Choosing anything over Jesus will always disappoint. When trying times come,
which they will, stand strong in your faith.
1 Peter 5:8 - “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Therefore,
stand strong in the truth! Persevere through trial and temptation.
III.
Choose Jesus TODAY
- Either for yourself or for someone else. Jesus is available now!!
