Mark 14:1-11

The Hatred of Jesus

The religious leaders of the day were conspiring to kill Jesus. They hated him because he posed a threat to their religion, tradition, and authority. They could not stop people from following Him. He had just raised Lazarus from the dead. This was an undeniable miracle that they could not dispute. His credibility among the people was greater than the religious leaders. This infuriated them and as a result they hated him and wanted to kill Him.

Let’s not lose sight of the evil in their hearts and how sinister their plan is to kill Jesus. First they are disregarding the commandment of God that says thou shalt not kill. The fact that they not only had the desire, but was taking action on that desire reveals the evil in their hearts. Not only this they knew they were doing wrong because they did not want to do it in public. They wanted to kill him secretly so the people would not riot.

The religious leaders hated Jesus and wanted to get rid of Him. That same hatred towards Jesus exists today.

A. Total Number Affected:

Open Doors' World Watch List (WWL) 2024, covering the period ending September 30, 2023, estimated that approximately 365 million Christians globally face high, very high, or extreme levels of persecution or discrimination.

This figure represents 1 in 7 Christians worldwide.1 The prevalence is higher in certain regions, affecting 1 in 5 Christians in Africa and 1 in 7 in Asia.

This indicates an increase from the 340 million (1 in 8 worldwide) reported for 2021.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), citing recently published figures in its 2022-24 report, also notes that 1 in 7 Christians experiences persecution globally.

Pew Research Center's analysis, while measuring restrictions on all religions, found that in 2022, 59 countries (30% of those studied) had high or very high levels of government restrictions on religion, the highest number since their tracking began.14 ACN's 2023 Religious Freedom Report found severe violations impacting 4.9 billion people (62% of the world's population) living in 61 countries where religious freedom is significantly restricted.9

The WWL 2024 reported 4,998 Christians killed for their faith during its reporting period.

The WWL 2024 documented 14,766 attacks on churches and Christian properties (such as schools, hospitals, cemeteries) worldwide during its reporting period.

The WWL 2025 booklet, using data from the WWL 2024 period, reported 4,744 Christians detained, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned without trial for faith-related reasons.

The world hates Jesus and wants to eradicate His church.

John 15:18–21 NASB95

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

Much of the persecution around the world is from Muslim persuasion. Here are some reasons that some Muslims persecute Christians:

Theological Differences: Core doctrines differ significantly, such as the Christian belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, compared to the Islamic emphasis on the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid) and Jesus as a prophet, not God.

Historical Conflicts: Events like the Crusades, European colonialism in Muslim-majority lands, and more recent conflicts in the Middle East have left legacies of mistrust and resentment for some.

Political Issues & Foreign Policy: Actions and policies of predominantly Christian Western nations in Muslim-majority countries are often a source of political grievance for some Muslims.

Proselytization: Some Muslims view efforts by certain Christian groups to convert Muslims as aggressive or disrespectful to their faith.

Stereotyping and Misinformation: Negative stereotypes and misinformation about both groups, often amplified by media or political rhetoric, can create prejudice.

Experiences of Discrimination: Some Muslims living in Christian-majority countries perceive discrimination or Islamophobia, while some Christians living in Muslim-majority countries report similar experiences, which can fuel negative feelings.

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Differing perspectives and allegiances regarding this conflict are a significant source of tension for many Muslims and Christians globally.

The Undervalue of Jesus

When anointed Jesus the disciples were upset with Mary because of the value of the perfume she used. They thought it was a waste to do what she did. They would have rather sold the perfume and give the proceeds to the poor. This seems noble but Jesus pointed out their fallacy. Mark 14:7

Mark 14:7 NASB95

“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.

The disciples were more concerned about the money they could have gotten from selling the perfume than the act of worship that Mary had towards Jesus. Mary gave her best to Jesus because she valued Him the most.

One of the ways we undervalue Jesus today is by wanting him as our Savior but not wanting Him as our Lord. We want the blessing of the Lord with out the commitment to the Lord.

To grasp the significance of Jesus Christ's lordship, one must first understand the term "Lord" itself, primarily represented by the Greek word Kyrios (κύριος) in the New Testament. This term carried a range of meanings in the first-century Greco-Roman world. It could function as a polite term of address akin to "Sir" , or denote a person possessing authority, such as a master over slaves or the owner of property. In Classical Athens, the kyrios was the head of the household, responsible for its members.

The authority vested in Jesus Christ is presented in Scripture as absolute and universal. Following His resurrection, Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). This dominion is comprehensive, extending over all creation , the course of history, the Church , the life of every individual , spiritual powers and authorities , and even death itself. His lordship is not confined to a purely "spiritual" realm but encompasses the entirety of existence, visible and invisible.

While Christ's lordship is a present reality, its full manifestation is yet future. Christian eschatology anticipates the consummation of His reign at His second coming, when He will be revealed as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16).1 At that time, the declaration of Philippians 2:10-11 will find its ultimate fulfillment as "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," acknowledging His supreme authority.

You cannot have Jesus as Savior without Him being your Lord. The New Testament frequently presents Jesus Christ using titles that underscore the unity of His person and work. He is often referred to as "Lord and Savior" , particularly in the Petrine epistles (e.g., 2 Peter 1:11, 2:20, 3:18), and the composite title "Lord Jesus Christ" is ubiquitous throughout the apostolic writings. This consistent linkage points to a crucial theological reality: Jesus cannot be bifurcated into separate roles that one might choose between.

Beyond confession and belief, the acknowledgment of Christ's lordship is inextricably tied to obedience. Jesus Himself issued pointed challenges to those whose words lacked corresponding action: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). This rhetorical question powerfully exposes the emptiness of a purely verbal acknowledgment devoid of submission. Similarly, He linked love for Him directly to obedience: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). The Great Commission itself includes the mandate to teach new disciples "to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20), embedding obedience within the very fabric of discipleship.

True acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord transcends mere verbal assent; it necessitates a profound internal posture manifesting in tangible ways. Central to this is the concept of total surrender. For Jesus to be Lord requires yielding control of one's entire life to Him – spirit, soul, and body; private and public spheres; thoughts, emotions, possessions, and relationships. Theologians often emphasize that Christ cannot be Lord of only a part; He must be given authority over the whole.

The Betrayal of Jesus

When Judas who was the treasurer of the disciples saw what happened, he was so enraged that he turned his back on Jesus and betrayed Him. He went out and made an agreement with the Pharisee to turn Jesus over to them. He did this because he did not get what he wanted. He desired money over his relationship with Jesus. John 12:6

John 12:6 NASB95

Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

Judas followed his true god. Money was his god and when it was threatened he took action against Jesus. A temptation may be for a person that claims to follow Jesus to turn away if Jesus does not answer a prayer the way they want, or allows something tragic to happen in their lives. THey go from following Jesus to blaming Jesus.

The Worship of Jesus

Mark 14:3 NASB95

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.

Mary took a vial of very expensive perfume and broke it and poured it over Jesus head. The value of this perfume was one years worth of wages. How did she get this? We are not sure but it was probably the most valuable thing that she owned. She was not just going to pour a little over Jesus head, she was pouring the whole thing. She broke the vial so that it could all come out and nothing could go back in.

Mary valued Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She valued Him above everything she had. So how did she get to this point in her life? As we understand the context of her relationship I see two predominant things that could get her to value and worship Jesus the way she did. First is she knew his teachings. We find her often at the feet of Jesus listening to His teachings. Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38–42 NASB95

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The second thing is she experienced Jesus in her daily living and specifically in a time of great need. Her brother Lazarus died and Jesus brought him back to life. John 11:28-45

John 11:28–45 NASB95

When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.

Just as Mary knew Jesus by His teachings and experienced him in tragedy, so we to must know Jesus teachings and experience him in every day living. The way we sit at the feet of Jesus is to open the word of God and study it. Jesus reveals who he is through the reading of scripture. When we understand who He is, then we grow in our love for Him. Our faith is strengthened by knowing who He is. John 6:40

John 6:40 NASB95

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

When we know who Jesus is then we can exercise faith in our everyday living, by living in accordance to His commandments. When we do this, He manifests himself to us in every day living. If we will look we will see the presence of Christ in every day that we live. He reveals himself in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.