Lord, Break Me

What Does It Mean To Be Broken?

Talk about toy transformer that neighbor broke

When we think of broken things, we thing of them as useless

This was the same in the time of Jesus

Mark 14:1–9 NKJV

1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.” 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Talk about Mary

John 12:1–8 NIV

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Possibly Mary Magdaline

; shows a similar scene but not identical

The woman in John is identified as Mary of Bethany (sister of Lazarus)

It happens 6 days before the passover

It was poured on the feet and not the head

Many scholars believe the Mary from our story is Mary Magdeline

Regardless, it does not change the message of the story

Something very valuable was broken and poured out

Their reaction would be the same of many of us.

When something is broken, it is useless.

Jesus had a very different reaction to this because he realized the significance of the action.

God uses those that are broken and dependent on Him.

We see 3 characteristics of broken people in this passage

1) Broken of Pride…Filled with Humility

Think of what the woman had to overcome to get to that point of humility

She was ridiculed

Possibly because of her past (prostitute)

She was not concerned with public embarrassment

Nothing could keep her from Jesus

Matthew 5:5 NKJV

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts a. Their Rights (5:1–12)

Meek does not mean weak or timid, but humble and trustful. It means accepting God’s will rather than asserting one’s rights.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts a. Their Rights (5:1–12)

Meek does not mean weak or timid, but humble and trustful. It means accepting God’s will rather than asserting one’s rights.

The woman broke her own desires and wanted to filled with the desires of Jesus.

Do you spend more time asserting your rights or accepting God’s will?

2) Broken of Resources…Filled with Capability

Think of the value of what she broke

300 denari (A years worth of wages)

What could she have done with that money

It was a giving of all that she had

A sum total of all of her resources

A giving of the life she knew

Broken and poured over the head of Jesus

What would it look like in your life to give everything to Jesus?

If you gave everything, who would you rely on?

Matthew 19:16–26 NKJV

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The great

Jesus was saying when you stop relying on your own resources, you can be filled with a capability that comes only from God.

Your resources are limited, God’s are not

3) Broken of Self-Reliance…Filled with Usability

We like being in control.

We like things to try to control outcomes

Share story about Trunk or Treat (being cold)

We tried to control so many elements without first going to God.

Our motto was “We got this?”

Have you ever said, “I got this.” “It’s all under control.”

It makes us feel good

But are we every really totally in control

The woman recognized that she had tried to be in control and it was not working.

All through scripture, we see people that God uses that give up their control.

Air Assault School taught me that if someone loosens their grip on a repel line, then someone else must tighten their grip.

The same is true when it comes to control of our lives.

When we loosen our grip, Jesus tightens his.

John 15:5 NKJV

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

If you want to be used by God, then you must loosen your grip

John 15:5 NKJV

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Jesus was Broken and Poured Out

Luke 22:7–20 NKJV

7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” 9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” 10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” 13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

We not only need to be broken and emptied.

This passage is commonly read at communion services

We also need to be filled.

Filled With Humility

It is a reminder of what Christ did for us on the cross

What if it’s meant to be more than just a reminder to break bread?

When Jesus says “Do this”

Greek word “houtos”

that or this thing; the same thing

What if Jesus is actually saying “break yourself in remembrance of me”

That changes how we do communion

Communion is a call to be broken and poured out before God.

When you take the bread and cup what you are saying is”

God break me of my pride and fill me with humility

God break me of my dependence on my resources and fill me with your endless capability

God break me of my need to be in control and fill me so I can be used by you.

“True brokenness before God isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily decision.”

Philippians 2:1–13 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

We must continue to work out our salvation

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Romans–Philemon a. Be Co-workers with God (2:12, 13)

To “work out” one’s own eternal welfare or salvation does not mean that man can or must work and accomplish it himself, for God does that (v. 13); but that the believer must finish, must carry to conclusion, must apply to its fullest consequences what is already given by God in principle. The believer is called to self-activity, to the active pursuit of the will of God, to the promotion of the spiritual life in himself.… He must “work out” what God in His grace has “worked in”.… This powerful inward working of God affects both the will and the work.… To will and to do is the fruit of God’s work in the believer.… where He, in executing His good pleasure, is mightily at work in the believer towards his salvation, this at the same time also demands the self-activity of man, in working out that salvation to His honour and glorification.

Brokenness is an ongoing process

When we take communion we are reminded not just of Jesus’ death but also how we should be broken and poured out before God

Take Communion

Issue Prayer Challenge