Sermon Tone Analysis

The hometown crowd.

Just before this Jesus has raised a child from the dead.

Keep that in mind as we talk today.

Sometimes you have to leave.

It’s important to know that the people in Jesus home town recognized that Jesus was special.

They would have heard what was going on, they would have been given all the gossip of the day and Jesus would have featured in it.

But more than that they acknowledge that Jesus is more just look at their questions.

Where did this man get these things?

What is this wisdom given to Him?

How are these miracles performed by his hands?

Even though they know that Jesus is more, even with proof they refuse to accept it and the reason is simple.

They were offended they were jealous of what Jesus had become, while they were still in the old home town, doing the things that they had always done.

The truth is people would ask questions about Jesus all the time, even given the proofs they were given.

A Bold Answer

Jesus had been walking through the temple right before this happened.

A group of people, many of whom had seen and known the things that Jesus had done decided now was the time to push him for an answer.

So they asked one simple question.

Jesus goes on to explain once again that he has already answered the question not just with words but with actions.

And when he makes the statement we find in

The father and I are one, a time line is sent in motion that can’t be stopped.

Jesus bold answer is what enables us to be in right relationship with God.

If he was anything less than who he said he is none of this matters.

Religiously sanctioned violence!

A question that shines a light.

Fear of the unknown, concern about things that are different or don’t fit our narrative of how things are supposed to be, confusion when our heart knows one thing and our head tells us another, leads to irrational behavior.

When Jesus asks this question he is pointing all these things out while at the same time knowing this is the beginning of the end...

Life on purpose.

Jesus was intentional in all he did.

He came to bridge the gap between God and Humanity.

When he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed away on purpose, when he went to see Mary and Martha, after Lazarus was already dead he did so knowing that he was going to intervene in a massive way.

He went to Judea where he knew people wanted him dead because it was part of the plan to show the world He was more than just a carpenters son from Nazareth, even in showing them that he was fully God.

He showed he was also fully man in just two simple words we find in

It is this amazing dichotomy that makes our relationship with God Possible.

Fully God, knowing the Beauty, grandeur and holiness of Heaven, Fully Man knowing the beauty, grandeur and fallen nature of earth.

Actively choosing to be the one time sacrifice to reconcile us back to God.

When we read Jesus wept.

there is more than just tears in His eyes.

Sometimes we mistake crying for weeping, there is a huge difference.

Cry: To shed tears often noisily.

We cry for lots of reasons; sadness, pain, joy, confusion.

Weep: To express deep sorrow for usually by shedding tears.

To express passion (as grief) by shedding tears.

We find Him expressing his sorrow, sorrow for the loss yes, but I believe it was so much more than that.

Sorrow for what is about to happen, sorrow for the loss that will be felt not many days from now.

Sorrow for a group of people who have seen so many proofs and yet have chosen to reject them.

Sorrow that comes from knowing that one he has spent 3.5 years with will betray him, sorrow for his mother and all those he loves that will have to endure the pain and shame that is soon to come.

One Last Stop

Before the Triumphant Entry which we celebrate next week on Palm Sunday, Before the Last Supper which brought us the tradition of communion which we will be remember on Good Friday, before the Time in the Garden of Gethsemane, before the Trial and crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus made one last stop to his friends home, and in that stop Mary anointed Jesus feet and wiped them with her hair.

She did more than just wipe his feet, she prepared him for the burial that was about to happen, even if it wasn’t going to be a permanent one.

In that one act Mary shows a faith and reverence that we should all aspire to.

She gave more than just a portion of what was hers she gave all of an item that cost a great deal.

The Perfume she used was valued at 300 denarii, a denarii was about a days wages for a person.

If we were to convert to today’s cost using the average minimum wage and figuring an eight hour work day that would be $58.00 a day totaling $17,400.00 so a great cost.The fact that she wiped his feet with her hair sows her devotion and reverence of Jesus, the fragrance filling the house showed all present what she felt and that this one act would have long reaching effects beyond just what she did in the moment.

This Week’s Challenge

Give the way Mary gave, find ways to worship, honor and share your faith with others in a way that goes far beyond your current life, into the lives of others.