A Woman's Praise (22)

I wanted to set aside a Sunday to celebrate Women’s History Month. When we think of the history of women in the Bible I can pull a number up for consideration.

There is Esther who by faith and courage went to the king on behalf of her people You can recall she said if I perish, I perish!

There is Ruth the Moabite who found her Boaz while gleaming in the field and found herself at the threshing floor to be redeemed and now is in the lineage of Jesus

There is Deborah the Judge who would lead her people into battle but Deborah was the only named female judge during the time of judges

She aggressively pulled on the moral bridle of Israel to return to worship of the one true God, and ruthlessly purified the nation of those evil actors who were interested in keeping Israel spiritually complacent and under slavery to the Canaanites. You recall what she told Gideon:

“Certainly I will go with you,” “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman” (Judg. 4:9)

Yet its Mary a woman who offered praise unto the Lord that Jesus said, Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mt 26:13).

The act of praise will always be remembered when the Gospel is Preached.

Its in John chapter 12 we arrive at this moment. It is also recorded in Matthew 26 about this woman. Its here in John she is named Mary of Bethany. Who we know to be the sister of Martha and Lazarus and a true friend to Jesus.

Now in Luke chapter 7 its described that while Jesus was at the house of Simon a women (one who had been release of 7 demons) comes to worship Jesus. Now there is some discussion that the events are one in the same even though its misplaced in chronological timing. There is also discussion that the woman release from the 7 demons Mary Magdeline and Mary of Bethany are one in the same.

We can go back and forth on this and miss the point all together. Whether they are one in the same or two separate events and person does not matter as much as what was done and how it was recieved by Jesus and viewed by others.

The historical significance is the act of praise. Lets see

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” . (Jn 12:1–8).

The setting is a dinner in celebration of Jesus. He is the guest of honor. Those who loved him are present as well as others. Its important to appreciate the setting( The house of a Pharisee and 6 days before passover.) Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead and now is marching towards the cross. This stop here gives us an opportunity of how much Jesus honors and appreciate authentic praise.

Martha was serving Lazarus was there at the table and Mary comes to offer praise.

What is praise? Praise is offering gratitude expressions of thankfulness. An expression of worship which recognizes and acknowledges God as the ultimate source and giver of all good gifts.

When we praise God we are saying Thank you! The forms of praise can vary but the source of praise is always the same. It comes from the heart. Gratitude. Praise. Honor, commendation, and worship. To Whom Praise Is Offered. The one Lord who is God over all is alone worthy of praise.

This leads me to my first point

Praise comes from a sense a gratitude.

When you cant muster up praise it says you are not grateful. If you don’t have a Hallelujah in you which means Praise the Lord you might want to do a gratitude check. The Lord is the source of my strength. I am because of him. He provides for me he protects me he heals me he keeps me sane. I would have lost my mind a long time ago if I did not have the Lord. Do you know all creation praises God? Why because all creation knows that God created them Psalm 148 says Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2  Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

3  Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

4  Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5  Let them praise the name of the LORD!

For he commanded and they were created. (Ps 148:1–5).

I can help you with gratitude. Take a trip to another country. See how good you have it. You may not have all you want but you have what you need. The freedoms we have here people would risk their lives to enjoy. You don’t even have to go out the country. Just go downtown to 290 or lower wacker drive and see the homeless trying to survive in the harshest of weather. So we have to be willing to express gratitude.

Gratitude for salvation, Gratitude for relationship, Gratitude to power, gratitude for strength,

Mary was there to express gratitude to Jesus. He had just raised her brother from the dead. The women in Luke chapter 7 expressed gratitude for deliverance. Grateful How many are grateful today. Your gratefulness needs to take on the life of praise!

Secondly You must offer you best in your praise

Notice here in all accounts the women brings expensive ointment. Very costly as it is described. Can you picture this? Mary, during the course of the celebration came to Jesus—the guest of honor—who was surrounded by disciples, followers, and friends, opened a jar of Pure Nard – an amber, fragrant perfume used for anointing. Even today spikenard is used for anointing. It is believed to have medicinal purposes.

She poured it on Jesus, splashing the floor as it pooled beneath his feet. The smell was overpowering, and the smell of it filled the room causing people to gather around as they watched Mary kneel and wipe Jesus’ feet with her hair until the sopping locks clung to her head. Those who witnessed this thought this was extravagant. Yet the significance is Mary saw something greater than the occasion. Yes she was thankful but as Jesus indicated she was anointing him for his burial. Why Judas was concern of how he can get more money to still Mary was concerned that the life giver was about to sacrifice his life.

I believe we need some extravagant praise in here!

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.. (2016). (Ps 119:164). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Thirdly Our Praise should be noticeable

As I said the aroma filled the room. The smell was overpowering, and the smell of it filled the room causing people to gather around as they watched Mary kneel and wipe Jesus’ feet with her hair until the sopping locks clung to her head. The Nard stained Jesus’ and her garments. All accounts said the aroma filled the room. Can we get a praise that fills the room. Can we get to level of worship that on lookers will be speechless and naysayers will be quieted?

So that our praise will fill the room and be a lasting testimony when ever the Gospel is preached. We are creating history today.

I can recall the praises of a Mother Hodges who would shout in Bible Study, or a Delquincey Belkhalter who break out in a praise shout that caught fire or a Mimie McLauren who cried out in praise. Women who praised the Lord for they could recall how God had brought them through!

Or even today when we hear someone in the choir just scream out Thank you!