Why Was the Oil Wasted

"Why Was the Oil Wasted?"

Text: Mark 14:4 Big Idea: True devotion to Christ is never wasted, for its worth transcends earthly values and impacts eternity.

I. HOOK: The Clash of Values

The clash of values in Mark 14:4 is a striking feature of the story, highlighting two contrasting perspectives:

Earthly Values: The practical, utilitarian mindset of the disciples, especially Judas, who evaluated the perfume's worth only in monetary terms. They valued the "usefulness" of the perfume, calculating how many poor could be helped with its sale.

Kingdom Values: The woman's perspective, rooted in worship and love, which saw no expense as too great for honoring Jesus. Her act of anointing Him expressed devotion, reverence, and perhaps an understanding of His impending sacrifice.

Transition: This tension mirrors the scene in Mark 14, where a woman’s act of worship was labeled wasteful. The disciples couldn’t see beyond their earthly perspective, but Jesus saw eternal significance.

II. THE SCENE: Extravagant Worship in Bethany

Setting the Context:

Jesus is at Simon the leper’s house, surrounded by His disciples, days before His crucifixion.A woman (identified as Mary in John 12) breaks an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and anoints His head.

The Shock and Criticism:

The disciples, led by Judas, rebuke her: "Why this waste? This could have been sold and given to the poor!"The cost of the perfume (worth a year’s wages) seemed to overshadow the meaning of her act.

III. THE BIG IDEA: Devotion to Jesus Is Never Wasted

A. Earthly Criticism vs. Heavenly Perspective

The disciples measured the act by its monetary value, not its spiritual worth.

Historical Example: When William Carey, often called the "Father of Modern Missions," shared his vision of taking the Gospel to India in the late 18th century, he was met with sharp criticism. During a meeting of ministers, one elder pastor reportedly said:

"Young man, sit down! When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine."

Others dismissed Carey as merely a "cobbler with foolish ambitions," belittling his background and his idea of leaving England to serve overseas. His critics prioritized maintaining the status quo and resisted what seemed impractical and idealistic.

Yet, Carey’s values were shaped by a deep conviction that the Gospel must be shared with all people, regardless of cost or sacrifice. Despite the ridicule, he persisted, traveling to India, where he labored for decades. He translated the Bible into multiple languages, planted churches, and laid the foundation for modern missionary work.

This example mirrors the clash of values in Mark 14:4.

Earthly Values: Carey’s critics prioritized pragmatism, dismissing his calling as unimportant or "wasteful" of resources.

Kingdom Values: Carey, like the woman with the perfume, valued devotion to Christ above all else, recognizing the eternal significance of his calling.

Just as Jesus defended the woman’s act as "beautiful," Carey's legacy proved the critics wrong, showing the far-reaching impact of devotion that prioritizes God’s kingdom over worldly concerns.

they saw waste. But God used him to pioneer modern missions.Application: How often do we view extravagant acts of faith as impractical or excessive?

B. Jesus’ Defense: Worship Is Beautiful

Jesus calls her act “beautiful” and rebukes the critics: "She has done a beautiful thing to Me" (v. 6).Her perfume wasn’t wasted—it was poured out in anticipation of His burial, a prophetic act few understood.

Biblical Echo: Like the widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44), small or great, worship given with a pure heart is priceless to God.

C. The Eternal Significance of Sacrificial Worship

Jesus ties her act to the gospel’s eternal impact: "Wherever the gospel is preached... what she has done will also be told" (v. 9).

Historical Reflection: Think of martyrs like Jim Elliot, who declared, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Their perceived “waste” became seeds for a worldwide harvest.

IV. APPLICATION: What Will You Pour Out?

A. Identifying Your Alabaster Jar

What treasures, talents, or time are you keeping back, afraid they’ll be wasted?

Challenge: Break your jar, surrender your best, and trust God to multiply it.

B. Seeing Through God’s Eyes

Earthly measures of value will always fall short of God’s eternal perspective.Personal Example: Share a story of someone who gave sacrificially for Christ and saw their offering impact lives in ways they couldn’t have imagined.

C. Worship That Costs Something

True worship requires sacrifice—David declared, “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

Ask: Is your worship costly, or merely convenient?

The old military saying, "All gave some, some gave all."

Are you in the all camp or the some camp?

V. CLOSING: A Legacy of Worship

Jesus assures us that acts of genuine worship live on beyond their moment.

Call to Action: Break your jar today—pour out your love, devotion, and resources for Christ. Let your life be a fragrant offering to the One who poured out His blood for you.