John 12:1-11

Intro

The New International Version Chapter 12

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, p but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

There are 4 characters in this story that I want to point out in this story today. They are characters that you are all aware of and that give us insight into the heart of Jesus.

Let me be clear that we all have tendencies to find ourself in each of these types of scenarios. With the exception of one, none of them are evil in their own place and time.

There is a season for everything. There are times where it is appropriate to shout and times to cry. Sometimes it is apropriate to be angry and other times happy.

No one thinks a happy person is a bad person. But what if when the worst thing that you can imagine happens and someone comes up to you and says “ im so happy for you”

THE KEY TO BEING A GOOD FARMER IS HAVING A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SEASON

THE KEY TO BEING A GOOD DISCIPLE IS UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON GOD HAS PLACED YOU IN AND WORKING IT ACCORDINGLY

When we left off last week at the end of chapter 11 Jesus had escaped from Jerusalem and went away from the city as it was not his time yet to be arrested and sent away for crucifixion. He went into the wilderness and everyone in Jerusalem was waiting to try and find him to either a) believe or b) arrest him and kill him

Jesus who aint scared of nothing or nobody let me remind you makes his way to Bethany, just outside of the city at he is at Simon the Lepers house. We dont know that from the text we read in John, but we know from the account of this story in Mark. It is most likely that Simon was healed by Jesus.

Imagine the people in this room. The illnesses, death, and destruction that they have been set freed from. And they have their savior over for dinner.

This the man who has set them free from everything they could imagine and they welcome him into their home.

Now put yourself in those shoes. I’ll even give an example of something far less than what these people were freed from. Imagine you have thousands and thousands of dollars of debt. You owe people that are after you constantly. You go to sleep afraid every night of those after you and wake up the same. Them some stranger comes along and calls you and said.”you dont have any debt any longer”. “I paid all of it off and oh I also put 1,000,000 into your bank account.”

The joy you would have. The freedom you would feel. and the gratitude would be unbelievable.

Then that same person said I would like to come to your house for dinner.

Ok that is your scenario. What do you do?

Some of you would go to work immediately. cleaning cooking. re aranging. bathe your kids and give them a talking to.

Some of you would call your friends and other guests and have them come.

Some of you may be filled with worry and have a feeling of not being good enough. not worthy to have this person in your home.

1. So at this dinner lets take our first lesson and it comes from Lazarus.

The New International Version Chapter 12

2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

Lazarus who was dead just a little while ago. HE IS RECLINING AT THE TABLE.

WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES HE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT?

You were literally dead and brought back to life. If he was wearing a shirt at the dinner it may say, “IM JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE”.

The way in which he lives his life is different than anyone else. He would take advantage of each moment with Jesus or anyone else for that matter.

We know this to be true by what John said at the end of this story.

The New International Version Chapter 12

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

People were coming to belief in Jesus because of the testimony of Lazarus. They were seeing what it meant to believe in Jesus. He probably did so without much fear.

SO they want to kill me??? Ok. If they do Jesus will bring me back to life if he still has use and purpose fir my life.

I can be at bit uh “causual” at times…stand up

Some could look at this sentence of Lazarus and say what are you doing bro just chilling. Jesus is in the room. get to work or stand up

NO MATTER THE SEASON THAT YOU ARE IN, EVERY SEASON IS A SEASON TO FIND PEACE IN JESUS

There are times we can take instruction from lazarus and learn to recline at the table with Jesus.

to live our life in a way that says so what, im just blessed to be here.

Church plant life is hard and it seams we are constantly looking at things and the temptation is to say what should I do next. And we will talk about that as we have and that is correct but sometimes we need to remember to relax and take in his presence and his grace.

2. The next person is Martha.

As we just read, Martha was serving. Now this is not a bad thing. Did Jesus not say that he came to serve rather than be served. Isnt service especially to the Lord a good thing? Absolutely it is.

I do not believe Martha was every rebuked or criticized for being a good hostice. But there is an issue that we see in another story in Luke.

There is debate as to this being the same dinner or scenario, but nonetheless it gives us a good insight to the characters we are studying today. Turn to Luke 10:38

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 10

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.

40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”

41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;

42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha was being a good host she was preparing and serving and wanted Jesus to have anything he needs.

Isn't that what we are suppose to do. Doesnt the Bible say it is better for the master to return and find their servant working in the field as opposed to sleeping on the job.

Martha’s sin was not understanding the season she was in. She was missing the point. Jesus was there!

There was no more prep work needed. He was physically there teaching and reclining in your home.

WEDDING ANALOGY FOR THE GROOM AND BRIDE>

We assign things to others so we can take the moment in and not miss it. I did not want my wife any where away from me that day or night.

READ THE ROOM

WORKING FOR JESUS WILL NEVER BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR SPENDING TIME WITH HIM

We are going through the Bible in Men’s Bible study on wednesdays and Paul has started us in Genesis. One thing I wanted to remind our men to remember this week that God has always wanted to dwell with man.

the garden to the cloud to the tabernacle to the temple to the messiah to the spirit.

God at any point and time could have left us to our demise and said enough, rather he has continued to want to be near us.

And you know what brings joy to him? For us to reciprocate that and sit at his feet. That is a position of a true disciple.

3. The third character is Mary. Sweet Mary. Mary may have been described as a sinner or someone less than. She was described in many ways. But Jesus called her appointed. She was a part of the plan because of her obedience and understanding of the season.

The New International Version Chapter 12

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.

Mary wastes no opportunity. She gets as close to Jesus and as we will discuss in a moment she pours out an extrememly expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus body.

When a sacrifice was to be given you would annoint it

When you bury a body you would put spices and perfumes on the body in order to

She may not have known but her presence with Jesus was to fulfill the prophecy

YOU CAN NEVER BE USED BY JESUS IF YOU DO NOT START AT THE FEET OF JESUS

This last year has been insane for me and Im not talking about my job as pastor at KCC.

Many of you know that I have always been in full time ministry and when we decided to plant we knew there would be a high probability that we would need to fins a way to support ourself

Story of career in a year....

Guys we spent time in prayer last week and we discussed the importance and I am stressing again that we dont begrudgingly look at this season and miss the opportunity to learn before the Rabbi and take in all he has for us and to give of the best parts we have to give

4. Finally the last person is Judas. We all know Judas right. The name alone is infamous. I am willing to bet very few people have been drawing up namesm for their new son and thought judas was a good fit

The New International Version Chapter 12

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, p but you will not always have me.”

Now to be fair Matthew says that multiple disciples were thinking the same thing but Judas had his own reason for thinking it. He was thinking it because of what advantage it would be to him.

WHAT YOU DONT GIVE BACK TO JESUS IS STOLEN

Jesus is the one that we do everything for. not our families or our own righteousness

Jesus is the one whom we ggive everythung to not the poor or needy.

Jesus is the focus of our thoughts and efforts, not good vibes and feelings