Place of the Passion: Bethany based on Matthew 26:6-13
Notes
Transcript
I. Story of Babette’s Feast.
II. Tonight, we walk with Jesus to Bethany. In Matthew 26:6 we are told, “Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper.”
III. Who is in Bethany?
IV. There is a huge cost. Matthew 26:7 tells us, “A woman (John 12:3 reveals her name is Mary) came up to (Jesus) with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.”
V. Mary, the Babette of the Bible, did two amazing things.
VI. Jesus is a king. Actually, Jesus is the king. That is the main message of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 2:2 calls him the “King of the Jews.” Matthew 21:5 refers to Jesus with these words, “See your King comes to you.” Matthew 27:37 records the sign above the Savior’s head while he dies on a cross, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
VII. How do the disciples of Jesus react to Mary’s amazing gift? Matthew 26:8-9 states, “And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”
VIII. Jesus looks at things in a different way. Matthew 26:10, 12 tells us, “10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. … 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.’”
IX. Jesus knew what His mission of mercy was all about. Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 26:28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:12, “In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.”
X. What a death.
XI. In memory of her. Matthew 26:13 states, “Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
XII. G-I-V-E.