Jesus Annointed

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INTRODUCTION

Have you ever watched someone do something so radical that you weren’t sure whether to admire them or question their sanity?

Maybe it was a generous act that seemed over the top—someone giving away a huge amount of money or sacrificing an opportunity for something greater.

Or maybe it was a moment of devotion—like that person who raises their hands in worship when no one else is… or quits a high-paying job to go into ministry.

At NewLife we had someone donate $50,000 in one weekend. Why? He sold his business and he was so blessed by the church and the way it touched his family he said he wanted it to keep going. When Pastor Mike spoke with him about it, he said that it was an act of worship. Mind blown — what?

CONNECTION

I don’t know about you but those people and those stories always inspire me. And do you know what I’ve noticed about people like that? They view Jesus differently than other people do.

Savior AND King.

B/c they view him as King — rulers over everything to include their life — they live differently.

THE KING IS COMING

Jesus not only as Savior but also as King.

Today I want to talk about this word — Worship.

People who view him as king — they worship differently than others.

SCRIPTURE

Mark 14:1–2 NIV

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

Notice something - Jesus always drew a crowd. People who were nothing like him, didn’t understand his teachings and didn’t

Mark 14:3 NIV

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Bethany → A town now famous because of Lazarus’ resurrection. Everyone knew what happened that was the real problem for the religious leaders, they had to do something Jesus was doing some God-like things and too many people where following him b/c of it.

Simon the Leper — Probably healed by Jesus. Possibly Mary, Martha and Laz father.

Also found in John 12 — tells us that it’s Mary. Mary and Martha where there b/c Jesus is visiting each night. John also says that it was done 6 days before Passover.

Could be b/c they did not track time that closely then. Or… john was an old man, and it’s possible he got the days mixed up.

That doesn’t affect your faith, in fact it should strengthen it. If you interview witnesses that where all part of an event they all remember things slightly differently. don’t believe me ask your kids something.

John was likely 13 when all this happened, wrote his gospel when he was in his 80-90 years old. He’s going to remember stuff differently than the other writers. Mark was 20-30 years earlier from Peters viewpoint.

James Warner looks at the Gospels like a detective and it’s amazing.

Reclining at the table → Meals were eaten Roman-style, lying on their left elbows at a U-shaped triclinium table.

Pure nard/expensive perfume → Imported from the Himalayas, worth a year’s wages. Today a years wages are close to $70,000.

Likely an heirloom or dowry.

Poured on Jesus’ head → A servant’s act, showing humility and devotion.

john tells us that she went even further wiping His feet with her hair → Culturally scandalous, but she didn’t care.

The house was filled with the fragrance

Sacrificial worship affects the atmosphere around us.

Mark 14:4–5 NIV

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

Some reject objects → On the surface, his words sounded spiritual: “Shouldn’t this be given to the poor?” Judas wasn’t interested in the poor. He was stealing from the disciples’ funds.

…Don’t look around, have you ever run into someone who says all the right spiritual things but yet does something totally different?

"The Bible guides my life." Quotes scripture often, but picks and chooses which parts of the Bible to obey.

"God first!" — Always says their relationship with God is the priority, yet continually places other commitments above spiritual growth or church engagement.

"Be humble like Jesus." Regularly quotes scriptures on humility, yet constantly seeks personal recognition or validation.

>>> There will always be people who misunderstand your devotion.

Too into church — you should take more Sundays off — you shouldn’t give that much — come on, you really pray everyday? — You don’t drink? — You don’t smoke?

>>> There will always be people who misunderstand your devotion.

Mark 14:6–9 NIV

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

“Leave her alone…” — Jesus defends Mary’s act of surrender. Again, Jesus sees her sacrifice, and he sees yours too.

“She kept this for my burial” — Anointing for burial was customary, but Mary did it before his death. God used her sacrifice to give Jesus something he would not otherwise get. If you remember when they go to anoint the body it’s gone.

You have no idea what God will do with your sacrifice.

In memory of her — and Jesus was right here we are over 2k years later talking about her act of worship her sacrifice.

Here’s the truth about worship.

Sacrificial worship isn’t about what you say, it’s about what you give away.

You have no idea what God will do with your sacrifice.

APPLICATION

When you worship do you release or do you hold back?

Mary brought everything she had to Jesus. Of course she did, he gave her brother back. Wouldn’t you do the same.

Hasn’t Jesus done the same for you? Hasn’t provided for you in miraculous ways? Saved you from some horrible situations? Had grace for you when you messed up? Comforted you when no one else would? There for you when it seemed like the world was against you?

What’s your perfume jar? What’s the thing that is so precious to you? For Mary it was her perfume.

What are you keeping for yourself that God might be prompting you to pour out?

Time

Money

Mental focus

Prayer

Maybe just raising your hands in worship

Maybe gratitude

As we move into the next song — remember those times when the Lord has done amazing things.

Because remember…

Imagine a church where we all pour out like Mary—fully surrendered, not holding back.

What if total surrender is what unlocks your breakthrough?

Let’s be a people who give Jesus our best, because He is worth it.

Are you ready to pour out your best for Jesus, no matter the cost?