Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Mark 14:1–11 (2)

Introduction:

· Lent : traditionally preparation – by focusing on Jesus’ suffering and death

· “The Coming Storm” points us to the darkest, most intense storm of God’s justice

MARK 14 INTRODUCES THIS, AND WE’LL SEE THE PLAN, THE GIFT, AND THE PURPOSE.

I) The Plan: (vv. 1-2)

A. Approaching the End:

i. Setting the Stage:

1. 1/3 of his gospel is on Jesus’ final week (chs. 11-16)

2. Mark makes frequent reference to these feasts (see vs. 1, 12)

ii. Jesus is about to endure his darkest and most intense suffering

1. The life of Jesus & the feasts of Israel are merging together; why?

2. These two feasts encapsulate Jesus’ purpose of sacrifice, bloodshed, death

B. The Hatred for God

i. The Tension Mark Illustrates (vv. 1, 10-11)

1. Mark’s Sandwich: the middle interprets the beginning & end

2. The Plot: The hateful religious leaders want to kill Jesus (but how?)

3. Early on Jesus religious leaders hate Jesus because he challenges authority

ii. Human nature and the Hatred of God

1. Secular culture rejects God because He infringes on our autonomy

2. Traditional morality finds Jesus offensive (“You’re not doing enough!”)

INTO ALL OF THIS, STEPS A WOMAN WHO, IN MARK’S GOSPEL, IS NEVER NAMED.

II) The Gift (vv. 3-9)

A. A Wasted Gift? (vs. 3)

i. The costly gift of a devoted disciple

1. A woman pours out an heirloom gift worth tens of thousands of dollars

2. Why? An Expression of deep devotion to her infinitely precious Jesus

ii. The casual dismissal of indifferent disciples

1. The pragmatic disciples: “pious” dismissal of the woman (vv. 4-5)

2. Mark’s Point: Judas, so close to Jesus value him so little? (vs. 10)

B. Or a Precious Gift? (vv. 6-9)

i. Jesus defends the giver and treasures the gift

1. Moral Action without devotion to Jesus misses the point

2. Jesus does math differently: The Heart behind the gift matters more than the practicality of the gift

3. EXAMPLE: Imagine an older woman who knits blankets…does it matter?

Transition:

III) The Purpose (vv. 10-11)

A. What does it look like for us to express our love for Jesus?

i. What are the ways you might serve

1. How do you express your love for Jesus?

2. How can you use what is most precious to you, in service to Jesus?

ii. What are the qualities of service

1. Jesus desires devotion to him that is COSTLY

2. Jesus values devotion that is MOTIVATED BY LOVE

3. BUT: this is “heartfelt” not External-Action-oriented…how can this happen?

B. God Sent Jesus to Descend Even to Burial For Our Salvation (vs. 8)

i. The central Point: that this woman, and the disciples didn’t see: “Burial”

1. Jesus explains that her actions as a preparation for burial

2. Jesus would be descending to his lowest most agonizing point

ii. True devotion arises out of a deep awareness of God’s Love

1. The only way that we will ever truly serve Jesus is when we see what he has done for us

2. APPLICATION:

Transition:

Conclusion

The gift of love that drives devotion