Dinner with Jesus Demands Determination and Deeds

John 12: 1-8 (NRSVUE)

“Dinner with Jesus Demands   Determination and Deeds?”

John 12: 1-8 (NRSVUE)

April 6, 2025

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Introduction: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a 1967 romantic comedy drama film. It was one of the few to depict an interracial marriage in a positive light, as interracial marriage historically had been illegal in many states of the United States. It was illegal in 17 states, until June 12, 1967, six months before the film was released. Joanna Drayton (played by Katharine Houghton), a 23-year-old white woman, returns from her Hawaiian vacation to her parents' home in San Francisco with Dr. John Prentice, (played by Sidney Poitier) a 37-year-old Black widower. The couple became engaged after a 10-day romance. The two mothers agree that this was an unexpected event but support their children. The two fathers meet, expressing disapproval at this unhappy occasion. The father concludes that he does remember what true romance is. He says although the couple will face enormous problems, they must find a way to overcome them, and he will approve of the marriage, knowing all along he had no right to stop it. The families then adjourn to the dining room for dinner. Dinner with Jesus Demands Determination and Deeds. 1) We will face enormous problems with those particularly waiting to betray you. 2) We must find a way to overcome problems and poverty. 3) God will approve of the sweet fragrance of our worship 

Scriptural Text: Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany. If the crucifixion took place on a Friday, this dinner occurred during the evening of the previous Saturday. It was coming near the end for Jesus to come to Jerusalem for the Passover was an act of courage for the for the authorities had made him in effect an outlaw. The great crowds came to the Passover that they could not find lodging within the city itself, and Bethany was one of the places outside the city boundaries as a place for the overflow of those travelling to stay. When Jesus came to Bethany, they prepared dinner at the house of Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus. It was then that Mary's heart ran over in love. She had a pound of very precious oil. It was a special kind, that valuable kind a perfume that she used to anoint Jesus’ feet. Anointing was the first stage of environment whether Mary knew it or not she was anticipating Jesus’ death which would happen within the week. Martha was a practical woman serving the table and she loved Jesus. Martha always gave what she could. She served Jesus in the kitchen for dinner. As we should serve Him in the public square when we have dinner with Jesus. Mary took the most precious thing she had and spent it all on Jesus with humility. She shows love. It is a sign of honor to anoint a person's head. David said in Psalm 23: 5 ‘you anointed my head with oil and my cup runs over.” But Mary would not look so high to the head of Jesus, she bows down anointed his feet, she wiped his feet with her hair. In Palestine, no respectable woman would appear in public with their hair unbound. But Mary never even thought of that. Having dinner with Jesus will make you reckless with no regard when it comes to your worship and praise. Judas ungraciously questioned her action the sheer waste. Jesus silenced him by saying that when it could be giving to the poor at any time, but the kindness done to him must be done now, for soon the chance would be gone forever. We always have the opportunity to care for the poor. There no where in scripture that Judas ever talks about the ministry of Jesus. But when it came to the money, he said something. Too often, people in churches who more concerned about using resources to help those in need and forget to acknowledge the good work of the ministry. Jesus trusts in Judas as far as chapter 6 of John that shows us Jesus was well aware that there was a traitor Jesus would not put Judas in charge of the Money Box unless he had some qualifications. Judas did not only carry the money bag he had a gift for handling money and became so fond of it that he became a thief and then a traitor for money's sake. 1 Timothy 6: 10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. It was Judas ill nature’s complaint that the money which the ointment it could have raised be given to the poor. We misinterpret Jesus when he said the poor you have with you always. But we can eradicate poverty. First by paying people a living wage. Then maybe they can buy boots if they like to have bootstraps. Deut. 15:11 “since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’ To help the poor was an important thing that could be done anytime. To show the heart’s devotion to Jesus it had to be done before the cross on the cavalry. Some things we can do almost any time but some things we would never do unless we are determined, grabbing the chance when it comes. We ought to seize the opportunity with the deep desire, the determination to do something, good deeds with a generous heart. However, we will put it off, we will do it tomorrow. And the thing never gets done. We put off again and again. Life is uncertain. Let us remember to do things now while we have the chance, we may never have the opportunity. Especially to express love, failing to do so brings regret for missing the opportunity especially after you had dinner with Jesus at his table that he has prepared for us.

Lk. 19: 1-6 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 Zacchaeus was determined; a wealthy chief tax collector wanted to see who Jesus was (he worked the Roman government, he took a risky cost because of his position, but he was determined), but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down I must stay at your house today.” Are you seeking God in a way that gets His attention? Or are you more concerned about how you can keep more resources for yourself than being concerned about the poor? When we come to the table of the Lord, we remember that he is the host and he is our meal when we come to the table of the Lord, Christ is present. when we come to the table of the Lord, we remember what Christ has done, we remember his death and his resurrection. His body was broken for us. His blood that he shed for the remission of our sin. 1). Determine to give good deeds to poor: Deut. 15 proves that poor is caused by us. Verse 4 However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, 5 if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. 6 For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations, but none will rule over you. 7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 2). Determined not to let anybody go unserved: Those who take care of others need cooks’ nurses’ deacons’ teacher’s caretakers who give up their lives for others.

3). Determined to worship and praise until the room is filled fragrance oil: It was costly, but the blood of Jesus paid it all. Like Mary it represented praise worship intimacy with her hair. We ought to be unafraid to show our praise and intimate worship unto God. God will approve of the sweet fragrance of our worship. 2 Corinthians 2:15 ESV: For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. Ephesians 5:2 ESV: And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Hebrews 13:15 ESV: Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Exodus 29:18 ESV: And burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. Hebrews 13:16 ESV / 22: Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. It is costly to truly be blessed by God. Sometimes you have to say I really don’t care what you say about the way I run the way I holler the way I lift my hands anywhere, anytime, When I think of the goodness of Jesus and ALL HES DONE FOR ME MY SOUL doesn’t whisper or tiptoe or act dignify, or cool and calm but  my soul CRIES HALLELUJAH!!

Conclusion

I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... IF I AM EVER ANYTHING THEN, ALL THE PRAISE TO HIM I'LL BRING I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... Somebody shouted it I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... THIS SONG OF LOVE FROM DEEP WITHIN.... I OWE IT ALL TO HIM If I've been used in some small way....use me Lord for thy service... To help someone in need today.... If any good is found in me... It's just because of Calvary...the cross. He died for me and you. His blood redeemed my soul. On Saturday, six days before the crucifixion over dinner... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... IF I AM EVER ANYTHING THEN, ALL THE PRAISE TO HIM I'LL BRING I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... THIS SONG OF LOVE FROM DEEP WITHIN.... I OWE IT ALL TO HIM He touched my blinded heart and mind... And, now His precious ways I find.... Where He leads me I will go... So, many others need to know.... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... IF I AM EVER ANYTHING THEN, ALL THE PRAISE TO HIM I'LL BRING I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... I OWE IT ALL TO JESUS... THIS SONG OF LOVE FROM DEEP WITHIN.... I OWE IT ALL TO HIM