Mark 14:1-11

Making the Choice: How We Respond to the Savior

Bible Passage: Mark 14:1–11

Summary: In Mark 14:1–11, we witness contrasting responses to Jesus during a pivotal moment in His ministry. The religious leaders conspire to arrest Him, motivated by jealousy and fear of losing their influence. In stark contrast, a woman expresses her profound love and honor for Jesus through anointing Him with costly perfume. Judas Iscariot’s betrayal highlights the peril of valuing material gain over personal devotion. The passage illustrates the range of human responses to Christ, each rooted in their relationship with Him.

Application: This sermon serves as a challenge for the audience to reflect on their own responses to Jesus. Are they caught up in the pursuit of worldly desires like Judas, or do they demonstrate extravagant love for Jesus like the unnamed woman? It encourages believers to examine their motivations and relationships with God and others, ultimately seeking to offer their lives as a living sacrifice in response to His love.

Teaching: The teaching focuses on the idea that every individual must confront their response to the person of Jesus. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing our motivations—whether they lead us toward adoration or betrayal—and the choices we face in our daily lives to either elevate Christ or diminish our relationship with Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, foreshadowed by His anointing, which signifies His impending death and burial. Jesus is portrayed as the one worthy of our ultimate devotion, contrasting the actions of those who would reject Him. This theme reminds us that all Scripture points to His coming sacrifice and calls for a rightful response from those who follow Him.

Big Idea: Our response to Jesus—not our circumstances—determines the trajectory of our lives and faith; we are called to choose devotion over betrayal, love over fear.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, it might be beneficial to utilize Logos for insights on the socio-religious context of Judas' betrayal, which can deepen understanding of motivations behind the actions of the characters in the passage. Investigate various commentaries to discern how ancient customs of anointing reveal deeper spiritual truths about worship and devotion. You may also want to explore theological discussions on the nature of sacrifice and its implications for a believer's life today.

1. Fearful Plots and Faith

Mark 14:1-2

Perhaps you could begin by considering the motivations of the religious leaders, driven by fear and jealousy as they plot against Jesus. This reflection could challenge believers to assess what holds dominance in their lives: fear or faith? The passage suggests that choosing fear over love can lead to destructive paths. You might explore how faith can empower us to act in love and devotion, rather than in self-preservation.

2. Faithful Devotion Displayed

Mark 14:3-6

You could present the woman’s lavish act of worship and how it stands in sharp contrast to others’ indifference or hostility. Her anointing of Jesus portrays her deep love and recognition of His worthiness. This act invites reflection on how we can choose to demonstrate our love for Christ in visible and sacrificial ways. Maybe remind the congregation that our devoted actions, even if misunderstood by others, are never wasted when offered to Jesus.

3. Failure of Misplaced Priorities

Mark 14:7-11

Consider discussing Judas’ betrayal, which suggests that misplaced priorities can lead to devastating choices. Perhaps this part of the sermon could challenge listeners to identify where they might value material gain or personal advancement over their relationship with Christ. This reflection on Judas’ choice could serve as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to Jesus, regardless of external temptations.

History, then, includes the study of aims, intentions and motivations.

N. T. Wright