Journey Motivates

INTRODUCTION

- Journey of the Wise Men- 3 Gifts - God, Frankincense and Myrrh.

For Jesus, that moment was part of his ultimate journey to the cross.

READ

John 12:1–11 ESV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Pray

5 Motives for the Journey

I. Hospitality (1-2)

A. Honor Good Works- come look what Jesus has done.

B. Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, sits at table with the one who would die.

1. "reclines at table"= fellowship of the meal. Sitting next to each other.

C. Martha- serving in the kitchen- she worked so hard being the hostess that she would miss the most important part of having Jesus in their home, knowing him.

D. Good works, without a relationship, is death.

1. Paul tells us- saved by faith, not by works. Faith in Jesus.

II. Surrender (3, 7)

A. Myrrh= one year worth of wages.

B. economic and sociological- marriage dowry possibly.

C. Anointing feet= the most humblest of ways to exalt someone. Probably a picture here of Jesus' role as King-- He will continue this idea with triumphal entry in verses to follow.

D. She gave Jesus her possessions and her dignity. Picture of complete surrender.

E. verse 7- confusing statement- could mean"she has kept it for the day of my burial." -

1. What is certain- it is a picture of his coming burial.

2. Hard to know everything Mary was thinking- but the obvious picture is a person in complete surrender to her Lord.

III. Self Gain (4-6, 8)

A. Judas stood for the opposite of what he claimed.

B. Helping the poor versus helping self.

C. Helping poor is commanded and good, but not to be elevated above Jesus.

1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Matthew 11:2–6 ESV

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Matthew 11:2–6 ESV

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

D. Judas was after whatever Jesus could give him. He was never after just knowing Jesus.

1. Many people are motivated by what the church can do for them, not knowing Jesus.

2. If you’re faith is about what you can get from God, you are no better than Judas.

IV. Curiosity (9)

A. Typical of the crowds. - Let's go see in person what everyone is talking about.

B. Jesus for many was just a side show for their mundane life.

C. Entertainment- not much entertainment for the Jews who were peasants.

D. The Church for many is just a place of entertainment- It's about what excites them and makes them feel good.

V. Power (10-11)

A. Chief Priests- religious leaders- only allowed to rule if they could keep the peace. They couldn't keep the peace unless the people listened to them.

B. Jesus messed up their easy life.

C. APP- many are motivated by power in this world.

CONCLUSION

There is only one person who was praised by Jesus. Mary. She surrendered.

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? Make him your Lord.