Sep 01, 2013
Mark 14:3-11
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[Mark 14:3-9] “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. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.
“For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
The unknown woman in our text is Mary of Bethany (John 12).
Mary was a woman who loved Jesus with her heart, mind, and soul!
1. What she gave: “An alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.”
There is no doubt that Mary gave the most precious thing she owned, but please understand her gift was more than the ointment.... her gift was her worship.
2. How she gave: “Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.”
Mary’s act had no concern for cultural norms.
Mary’s act had no concern for what others thought.
Mary’s act had no concern for the personal cost.
3. Why she gave: “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.”
Mary worshiped Jesus for who He was.
Mary worshiped Jesus for what He had already done in her life.
But Mary was also worshiping Jesus for what He was about to do for her!
She worshiped because she knew He would die to save her from her sins!
She worshiped with an attitude of faith and expectancy.
Jesus’ response to Mary’s act of worship:
He defended her worship: “Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her?”
Imagine the Scene of Activity - the disciples criticizing her act of worship.
Sad to say people’s worship of Jesus is criticized by both the world and the church.
He enjoyed her worship: “She has done a good work for Me.”
“Good” - literally, “beautiful, precious, excellent.”
“For Me” - Since Mary’s act was for Jesus, the evaluation was left to Him alone.
Note: Mary’s worship was not selfishly motivated.
The sole focus of her worship was birthed in a desire to bring Jesus pleasure.
She was not worshipping for some kind of spiritual, emotional high.
He accepted her worship: “She has done what she could.”
“Could” - literally, what she “had, held, or possessed.”
Jesus evaluated her worship with the knowledge of what she had to give.
Note: He’s not a Lover who’s expecting more from us that what we’re good for!
He celebrated her worship: “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
“Memorial” - literally, “something preserved for remembrance.”
Jesus is telling Mary that what she had done was something He’d never forget, and it was something that would be exalted as an example to others!
The sad reality of our story is not everyone was please with Mary’s act of worship.
[Mark 14:4-5] “But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
Though Mark leaves the questioner nameless, John 12 identifies him as Judas.
The essence of his question seems to present a noble concern for the poor (such a large about of money could do some good); however, John provides an additional insight.
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.”
Judas masked his hidden agenda under the guise of noble concern.
Judas seems to be a leader among the disciples.
The other 11 disciples seem to rally around his leadership unaware of his true motivation.... Mark says, “They criticized her sharply.”
Observation: Love everyone. Vet everything.
Whenever you decide to join or rally behind a cause (no matter how noble the leader might seem) it’s always wise to examine the hidden motivations that might be at work.
Reality: There was a disconnect between the leader and the followers. I am sure the disciples were genuine in their desire to care for the poor, but Judas was only interested in lining his pockets with cash.
In galvanizing the other disciples to his cause (caring for the poor) Judas was able to provide cover for his selfish desires and hidden agenda (stealing the funds).
This is why I tend to purse the only man I can trust.... Jesus Christ. (B-Sides)
You can divide Jesus’ response to their criticism into two sections:
1. He rebukes the disciples in the way they were embarrassing Mary. “Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.”
Jesus is clear that it’s not our place to judge another person’s offering!
As we’ve mentioned.... Mary’s offering was for Jesus, so He and He alone would decided what the best utilization of this precious gift would be.
2. And yet, knowing the day would come when the disciples would be responsible for allocating resources for ministries, Jesus provides them with an important lesson on leadership. “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.”
Truth: As a church the allocation of resources should be evaluated based upon what’s most necessary to fulfilling the mission Jesus came to accomplish.
Note: Evaluating ministry based upon “bad and good” is easy. It’s much more tricky when we must decided between what’s “good and necessary.”
Q: Consider.... Why did Jesus come into the world?
To eliminate global poverty? To champion racial, economic, and gender equality? To eradicate disease and pestilence? To abolish the tyranny of the elect on the masses? To end war or slavery?
A: No! Jesus came to save mankind from their sins.
In the moment what was the best utilization for this pricey ointment: preparing His body for burial (Mary of Bethany) or selling it to care for the poor (disciples)?
Core issue: The disciples focused on ministry, but lost sight of the mission.
I’m afraid the church today has fallen into the same flawed approach of the disciples.
In many ways we have become more interested in righting social wrongs and tackling social injustices (i.e. feeding the poor), instead of fulfilling the mission Jesus has called us to accomplish (exalting the crucified Christ within the world).
When this happens the church become ineffective and distracted.
1. The church becomes ineffective when it emphasizes social issues, because the only remedy to the problems facing the world is the soon return of Jesus.
Jesus is it clear.... “the poor you will always have.”
You can make the case poverty will never find a remedy. (B-Sides)
2. The church becomes distracted from fulfilling our singular mission when we allow noble initiatives to become our chief ambition.
Don’t get me wrong.... I’m not saying social causes can’t also be incorporated into the program of the church, but.... they should always exist as a means to fulfilling the mission Jesus has ultimately called us to accomplish.... “Making disciples of the nations!”
- What is the point if the church helps people overcome substance addiction only to see the individual remain addicted to his fleshly desires?
- What is the point if the church frees a slave only to see the individual remain in the powerful grasps of spiritual bondage?
- What is the point if the church eliminates disease in the 3rd world only to see individuals remain infected with the deadly virus of sin?
- What is the point if the church champions social justice and equality only to see individuals remain destined for a future judgment?
- What is the point if the church eradicates sexually perverse behavior only to see individuals enter hell straight and monogamous?
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What is the point if the church ends global hunger only to see the individual continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Though everyone of these aims is a noble initiative, if they become the churches chief ambition we’ve tragically addressed a person’s temporary condition without ever addressing their deeper need.... salvation from sin!
Note: The church has always proved most effective when our focus was not tackling these social ills, but instead seeing men transformed by the Gospel.... Knowing that when men are transformed by the Gospel it yields a transforming effect on society.
The biggest social issue in the first century was the tyranny of Roman (1 in 4 human beings were slaves to this oppressive Empire); and yet, how often does Jesus speak out concerning this injustice? Not once. Did Paul, Peter, the early church fathers make this an emphasis in their writings? Nope.
And yet, within 200 years the Gospel would bring down the Empire.
The ultimate abolishment of the English Colonial slave trade in the 1800s directly coincided to several, incredible, Holy Spirit infused revivals in Great Britain.
The Point: A church that addresses social issues as a means for exalting Jesus is a church effective in ministry, because they’re keeping the priority of Jesus’ mission to redeem the sinner emphasized above everything else!
[Mark 14:10-11] “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”
“Then Judas” - The phraseology establishes a contrast between Mary and Judas.
In contrast to the incredible demonstration of love for Jesus provided by Mary, we see the dastardly betrayal of Jesus initiated by Judas Iscariot.
“One of the twelve” - Mark intends to provide a shock to his audience.
Though we know from Mark 9 and other passages that this traitorous deed already existed in the heart of Judas, this is the first time Mark mentions him by name.
We must consider.... Why would Judas betray Jesus?
1. Some have speculated Judas was so embarrassed by the entire episode that in a fit of anger he decided to act upon his inclinations.
Don’t forget our dinner host “Simon the Leper” was the father of Judas (John 12) indicating the depths of embarrassment he could have experienced.
2. Some have speculated Judas was simply the victim of some cruel predestination?
Problem: We’ll observe that Jesus provided Judas ample opportunities to repent and turn from the plans he had made with the “chief priests.”
3. Others speculate Judas was simply trying to provoke Jesus to reveal Himself as the Messiah - a deed that clearly backfired when He was sentenced to execution.
This could explain why Judas, stricken with grief, would kill himself.
4. Though any of these theories provide reasonable explanations as to why Judas betrayed Jesus, it should be pointed out Judas very likely was evil!
As many of Jesus’ followers were beginning to turn away from following Him, Jesus makes an interesting comment in John 6:70, “Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon....”
It would appear even when Jesus choose Judas to be one of His 12 disciples there already existed an evil within his heart.