In Response Too
Notes
Transcript
1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”
6 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.
7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
There are three responses to Jesus here
A Worshiper
An Associate
An Enemy
1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
So the scene is set…
pre-passover
In Bethany
Supper with Mary, Martha and Lazarus
The Worshiper:
3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Fire Bible (Chapter 12)
What she did was culturally unusual in couple of ways.
First of all, oil was usually poured on the head.
In addition, a proper lady would never let her hair down in public.
Both of these actions showed humility; she did not care what anyone else but Jesus thought about her.
The Associate
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 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.
There are some who sit in the pews every week that are Christian by name only.
There are many christians who are christians in theory only, and they are worldlings in practice. -John Wesley
You hear the word, and believe it in theory, while you deny it in practice. I say to you, that “you deceive yourselves.” -Charles Finney
Judas looked like a good disciple, he even talked like one in public
He heard the gospel but only changed his behaviour
Simple behaviour modification is just psychology in action with no sustainable effect.
The Holy Spirit will change a heart
Jesus calls for a radical faith-One that does not care if it looks foolish the ones around them.
(The Chicken Coop)
A healthy Christian will be excited for the Lord.
7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
Jesus woulds here does not mean that alms should not be paid or aid given to those in need.
But our care for others should also not take the place of worship either.
There are plenty of great humanitarian groups that will pour every penny into aid, but miss giving the richest gift ever of eternal life.
Jesus even said that there will be many who come to Him and say Lord Lord I did all these things in your name, and they will hear depart from me you workers of evil, I never knew you.
Fire Bible (Chapter 12)
Mary’s faith and devotion to the Lord is a perfect example of what God desires in his followers.
To give all of ourselves to Him and not worry about the who will think us a fool. To seek the approval of God not anyone else.
For this reason, Jesus stated that her act of love would be told wherever his message is preached in Matt 26:13
9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.
Some folks come to see the work of Jesus not to actually see Him
Some folks want to see both the Work but also the Source of the Word
The Enemy
10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
This goes to show that when the Lord is at work, someone will always speak ill of it.
It is ironic to think that the priests were planning to shed innocent blood during passover.
There is an enemy of the Gospel that wishes to kill the message along with all who hear it and heed it.
Our job is not to be scared that there will be enemies of the Gospel—Our job is to share it and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
God has been on a mission to restore us back to the day we walked with in the garden in the cool of the day.
To take our dead souls and sprout from them the beauty of a New Life sourced in Him.
We can respond to Jesus in worship and full surrender as Mary did
or we can reject Him making us actively against Him.
Take Home?
How DO YOU respond to Jesus?
We Have a means to respond to Jesus’ call. First to ask for salvation, secondly through the gift of communion.
If you have not asked Jesus for forgiveness and made Him Lord then please do so now. The table will be open to those who have.
**Communion**
Do This In Remembrance of Me
The beauty of communion is that we can
Tangibly nourish our bodies both spiritually and physically
Reflect on the presence of Christ with and in us
Reflect on our unity in Christ through his Body and Blood
Remember the redemptive work of Jesus and the call to Holiness that He gave us
Celebrate the new life given to us.
