…Pour Anyway

Let’s start with a story that is recounted in all 4 of the gospels (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-11)

Matthew 26:6–16 NKJV

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My 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.” Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

Let’s get the picture of what is going on here:

Jesus & His disciples are in the town of Bethany at the House of Simon the Leper who was also a Pharisee.

The woman in this story was a known prostitute in the town and was probably the same one that Jesus had delivered from being possessed by 7 demon spirits.

The alabaster flask of oil was both fragrant and expensive - worth a full-year’s wage ($20K - $40K) & was likely a type of potential dowry for her future.

No one expressed pleasure, excitement, gratitude, appreciation, or anything positive about the act of pouring out or the substance being poured out. - Only Jesus did.

This woman was not doing what she did for applause or praise from the others in the room - it was something she was compelled to do and pour out upon Jesus because of her thankfulness and love towards Him.

People in the room judged the woman & judged her gift…but she poured anyway.

Luke’s gospel tells us that the Simon, the dinner host, didn’t offer Jesus water for his feet, greet him with a kiss, or anoint his head with oil - but she did!

After Mary gave this extravagant gift, Judas made the decision that he would walk away from and betray Jesus!

So what about you and me?

1 Corinthians 12:20–22 NKJV

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NKJV

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So often it’s 20% of people doing 80% of the “work” - What if 100% of body did 100% of the work?

You are necessary!

You are important!

You are vital!

John 6:9 NKJV

“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

It’s not purely about what, or how much, you have to offer - it’s about what Jesus can do when we give what we have.

I’m convinced that Jesus can do more with what we can give than we could do with what we hold back!

2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

You have a tremendous treasure in you from Heaven.

A treasure kept to yourself is not much different than having nothing to give at all.

It takes being broken open and a decision to pour in order to let the contents out.

Matthew 25:25 NKJV

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

Making a decision to give what you have - especially if it doesn’t seem like much - can be scary.

Don’t talk yourself out of giving to Jesus.

Give Him your time. Give Him your talents. Give Him your future. Give Him your finances. Give Him your ugly thanks and worship.

Others probably won’t understand the depths of your thanks and love. They’ll likely call it extreme - That’s okay.

People might do to you what the people in Simon’s house did to this sinful woman - scorn, ridicule, judge the vessel and/or the gift…pour anyway!

People might not like what you have done and call it an extravagance or a waste…Pour Anyway!

People might be offended by what you offer to Jesus…Pour Anyway!

Just One Thing:

You have a treasure inside of you. Many things will try to stop you from giving that to Jesus…Pour Anyway!

Discussion Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Hot or Cold?

What resonated with your heart from this sermon? Why was this impactful for you personally?

Please read Matthew 25:25 and share about what this verse means to you & share if you feel like you have ever done this very thing with the talents God has given you?

What do you believe that God is “putting His finger on” in your life to give and pour out on Him?