SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). The Religious Leaders (vs 1-2)
(2). The Woman (vs 3)
(3). The Critics (vs 4-5)
(4). The Lord (vs 6-7)
(5). The Traitor (vs 10-11)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Two brothers were alone in the kitchen.
• Before them on the table was a huge bowl of eggs.
• The older one said "I’ll give you £1 if you let me break three of these eggs on your head".
• "Do you promise?" asked the younger brother.
• "I promise with all my heart!" said the older brother.
• With the agreement made he then broke one egg over his brother’s head.
• He then broke a second egg over his brother’s head.
• Standing stiff for fear the gooey mess would get all over him, the little boy asked,
• "When is the third egg coming?"
• "It’s not," replied the brother.
• "If I do that, then it would cost me a £1!"
Sometimes things do not work out the way you have them planned:
• That was certainly true for the People we reads about in this passage;
• (Mark chapter 14 verses 1 to 11).
• The religious leaders and the disciples had one idea of what was acceptable;
• But Jesus and this woman had a very different idea of what was appropriate.
I want to divide the story under five headings:
(1). THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS (VS 1-2).
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him.
2 But not during the Feast, they said, or the people may riot.
Ill:
• I may have told you before about the humours birthday card;
• That on one occasion I was going to send to my wife,
• But I decided that maybe that was not the wisest thing to do!
• The front of the card read: “Darling you are the answer to my prayers!”
• Then on the inside of the card it read:
• “You are not exactly what I prayed for but apparently you are the answer!”
Now Jesus was the answer to the prayers of every Jewish person:
• They had faithfully prayed that God would send the Messiah;
• Only when he appeared they failed to realise it!
• Because he did not fit their depiction of what the Messiah should be!
Ill:
• They wanted a political Messiah;
• Who would destroy their Romans oppressors;
• And set up God’s kingdom on earth,
• Sadly they failed to understand;
• That the Messiah would destroy a far greater enemy than Rome;
• He would defeat humanities greatest enemies - sin, death & the devil himself!
• And the kingdom of God would be evidenced as he reigns in the life of his followers.
The religious leaders (the Priests & teachers of the law):
• Had already to decided to arrest Jesus and kill him.
• Verse 1-2 make this clear.
• But things would not work out the way they planned & hope for;
• They discovered they were unable to arrest Jesus because they ‘feared the people’.
• Because of the popularity of Jesus ;
• These leaders could not risk upsetting the people on this occasion;
• Because if a riot broke out;
• It would cause them many problems with their Roman task-masters.
The Bible clearly teaches that death of Jesus would not be determined by human beings
• When these religious people;
• Or on other occasions when an angry crowd wanted to kill Jesus;
• We are told that they could not.
• Either circumstances seemed to prevent them;
• Or we are told that ‘He passed through them because his time had not come’.
• The Bible clearly teaches again and again;
• That a greater force was at work preventing them arresting & killing Jesus.
• That timing of the death of Jesus would not be determined by human beings;
• But by God!
• The timing and the way Jesus would be arrested and killed;
• Would be in accordance with the plan of God.
• We call it a Plan because through the death of Jesus our salvation was purchased!
Ill:
• A church recently received personal greetings from the Kejave Medical Centre staff;
• Which is a mission hospital in Kenya.
• It contained the following story.
• Eight-year-old Monica fell into a pit,
• The fall broke her leg and she laid helplessly at the bottom of the pit unable to get out.
• An older woman, Mama Njeri,
• Happened to go along the same path;
• She saw the girl in distress and climbed into the pit to help get Monica out.
• In the process of helping Monica;
• A dangerous black Mamba snake bit both Mama Njeri and Monica.
• Monica was taken to Kejave Medical Centre and admitted.
• Mama Njeri went home, but never awoke from her sleep.
• The next day a nurse explained Mama Njeri’s death to Monica,
• Telling her that the snake had bitten both of them,
• But all of the snake’s poison was expended on Mama Njeri;
• She was alive because there was no poison left to infect Monica.
• Transition: On the cross Jesus had taken the poison of sin;
• He would died willingly, so that we could live!
• And so the Bible clearly teaches again and again; the purpose of his death and:
• That timing of the death of Jesus would not be determined by human beings but by God.
(2). THE WOMAN (VS 3)
“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
• John in his gospel (chapter 12 verse 3);
• Identifies this woman for us – Mary the sister of Simon.
• During dinner, Mary enters the room;
• She has with her an alabaster jar containing a very costly ointment.
• In verse 4 we are informed us that it was about a year’s wages in value.
Note:
• Mark notes that first Mary breaks the jar.
• This little detail tells us it was sealed tightly shut;
• That was for two good reasons - so that it did not get contaminated or evaporate.
• But the fact that it was sealed is important;
• Because Mary had been saving this ointment for a special occasion;
• That occasion had now arrived!
• Both Mark and Matthew in his account of the story tell us;
• That she pours the entire contents of the broken jar onto Jesus’ head.
• And, John adds in his account;
• That she then begins to massage this ointment into Jesus’ feet using her hair.
(a). It was an act of courage and faith.
• Mary was a lady of great courage and great faith:
• She is a devoted disciple who ignores the taboos of her society in her commitment to Jesus.
• Sitting at the feet of Jesus;
• In this culture and at this time this was not the place for a woman,
• It was the men who sat to talk and discuss and debate,
• The women were in the kitchen or gathered in another part of the house.
• Mary in her love for Jesus;
• Demonstrates great faith!
Ill:
Faith in the Bible is always spelt ‘R.I.S.K’!
• Quote: Playwright Neil Simon said,
• “If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.”
Ill:
“There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!”
• Mary was spiritually alive – she had to worship!
• The others in the room might as well been spiritually dead!
• True faith leads to action;
• Even though it may result in misunderstanding and criticism.
(b). It was an act of sacrificial cost.
• Mary had saved a long time to buy the ointment that she poured out on Christ.
• It was worth almost an entire years wages.
• That was probably the most precious thing she owned;
• Perhaps, this was a family inheritance.
• Some speculate that it might have been part of dowry saved for her wedding day.
• Others say it may well have been her life’s savings, her pension plan!
• We do not know, what we do know is:
• Mary was not thinking about herself she only had Jesus in mind!
The real point of the story is the contrast between extravagant love and cheap love.
• Cheap love finds excuses.
• It asks; “How much do I have to give?” or “How much do I have to do?”
• Cheap love keeps us in our comfort zones!
• Extravagant love costs! It is sacrificial!
• ill: Pig and the hen.
• Walking down the road when they see a sign outside a café.
• It read bacon and eggs for breakfast.
• The pig turned to the hen and said;
• “It’s alright for you, because for you it’s an offering but for me it’s a sacrifice!”
• Extravagant love is more concerned with blessing Lord;
• Than receiving a blessing from the Lord.
Quote: St Augustine:
“Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure;
Where your treasure is, there is your heart;
Where your heart is, there is your happiness. “
• Mary’s happiness was focussed in Jesus.
• Therefore she would give him everything she had of value!
(3). THE CRITICS (VS 4-5):
“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.”
Ill:
• Two taxidermists stopped before a window in which an owl was on display.
• They immediately began to criticize the way it was mounted.
• Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion with its head;
• Its feathers were not neatly arranged; and its feet could be improved.
• When they had finished with their criticism,
• The old owl turned his head ... and winked at them.
When you do things for the Lord:
• Expect flak! Expect criticism;
• Sadly........expect it from those people who you think should know better!
• To avoid criticism:
• “Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing!”
• But if you do something for the Lord, then expect flak! Expect criticism,
• Sadly it seems to be part of package!
Note: Some were Worried about Waste (vs 4-5)
“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.”
Ill:
• Charles Francis Adams, the 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary.
• One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted.”
• His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary,
• Which is still in existence.
• On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry:
• “Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!”
• The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son,
• But his son saw it as an investment of time.
• The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing;
• Is to know one’s ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly.
Some people said that pouring all of the perfume on Christ was a waste:
• All he was doing was showing his ignorance!
• He was showing his limited understanding!
• ill: I think Mary was the only one who smiled at the cross!
• When she saw his head and his feet,
• I think she said to herself, “I am glad I did it!”
(4). THE LORD (VS 6-7):
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.
• In this curious statement;
• Jesus is reminding Judas and the other disciples concerning their priorities:
• He alludes to the Old Testament Scripture (Deuteronomy chapter 15 verse 11);
• "There will always be poor people in the land"
• In other words; ‘Everyday gives you the opportunity to help the poor.’
• So if you are that concerned then you can do that on a regular basis.
• But in verse 7b: Jesus informs Judas & the disciples that his death is fast approaching;
• When he is gone it will be too late to show their love and gratitude to him.
• Mary is praised because she has ‘seized the day’.
• She has made the most of her opportunity.
Ill:
• Often buy in bulk from the supermarket;
• Penny will say; “Why have you bought so many of those?”
• I always respond; “Because they were cheap & they were available!”
• The point is you buy while you can,
• Because that special offer will not always be there!
• Mary is praised because she has ‘seized the day’.
• She has made the most of her opportunity.
• Christian & non-Christian make sure you do the same!
• The opportunities we are given to encounter Jesus need to be seized or lost!
• Trust him for salvation and worship & serve him while you can!
Note:
• Once again this verse reminds us that Jesus was fully conscience regarding the cross;
• “You will not always have me with you!”
• The disciples thought Jesus was going to stay around forever!
• He was going to set up his kingdom on earth.
• But Jesus knew before the crown there must first be the cross.
• The cross would not be a surprise or accident or circumstances out of control;
• Instead it would be the centre-piece of God’s plan of salvation.
(5). JUDAS (VS 10-11):
“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 was the treasurer and keeping to money bag full was very important;
• Not simply because it was Jesus and the disciples income.
• But elsewhere in the gospels we are told that:
• “Judas helped himself to the money, because he was a thief” (John 12:6).
• Judas was not interested in the poor;
• He was only concerned about getting money for himself.
• Had this perfume been sold and the money put in the disciples treasury bag;
• There was more there that he could pilfer.
Ill:
There is a certain courthouse in Ohio, America that stands in a unique location:
• Raindrops that fall on the north side of the building;
• Go into Lake Ontario and the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
• While those falling on the south side of the building:
• Go into the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.
• At precisely the point of the peak of the roof,
• The blowing wind can determine the destiny of many raindrops.
• It will make a difference of more than 2,000 miles as to their final destination.
Our attitude and response to Jesus Christ is very much like that wind:
• It will changes the course of our lives, in fact our eternal destinies,
• When we allow him to blow over us and direct us.
• Mary attitude directed her in the direction of worship and service;
• Judas attitude directed him to betrayal and despair.
Note:
• Both Matthew and Mark in their gospels note that it was THEN;
• That Judas went out to strike a deal with the chief priests.
• Question: Why THEN, do you suppose?
• Answer: The point seems to be this:
• Jesus’ acceptance of Mary’s extravagant worship was the last straw for Judas.
• If this rabbi was going to countenance such waste,
• Such a hideous waste,
• Then it would be better for him to die.
Ill:
• If you can take two ten pence pieces and place them in front of your eyes;
• You can shut out the most beautiful view in the world.
• Just go to a high mountains and just hold two coins closely in front of your eyes;
• The mountains are still there, but you cannot see them!
• All because there is a ten pence piece shutting off the vision in each eye.?
• It doesn’t take large quantities of money to come between us and God;
• Just a little, placed in the wrong position, will effectively obscure our view.
• Sadly that was so true for Judas!
• It seems that this is the crunch time for Judas.
• He has a choice to make – money or Jesus.
Final application:
Question:
• What rivals Jesus for our affection?
• What is it that prevents us from knowing him or knowing him better?
Ill:
• The news this week has been dominated by the wrecked Italian cruise ship,
• Costa Concordia, off the coast of Tuscany.
• I guess we have all seen the pictures and heard peoples stories;
• Regarding this harrowing ordeal.
• One thing I learnt this week was two new words.
• Flotsam and jetsam.
• Flotsam and jetsam are commonly used terms;
• They are used to describe the wreckage and debris that floats in the water after a shipwreck.
• What isn’t so well known is that there is a difference between flotsam" and jetsam.
• Flotsam is anything that ends up in the water resulting from the shipwreck,
• Whether it’s pieces of the boat or even some of the cargo.
• Nobody had any control over it; it’s there as a result of the shipwreck.
• But jetsam is different altogether.
• Jetsam refers to the cargo and other items that have been;
• Purposely jettisoned from the ship;
• To help stabilise it and hopefully to save it from shipwreck.
• In other words, ejecting the jetsam;
• Can often save the possibility of a complete wreck and the resulting flotsam.
• Life is similar.
• We often have to make choices to eject things from our lives;
• That we may prefer to hold onto in order to prevent a much worse disaster.
Question:
• What rivals Jesus for our affection?
• What is it that prevents us from knowing him or knowing him better?
• Are we prepared to give him our all like this woman.
• Even if that means we need to Jetsam certain things in our lives!
