Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

HOOK

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we looked into the events following Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead [pinnacle of the Lord’s miracles]— Caiaphas [chief priest] and the pharisees [Sanhedrin] plot to kill Jesus because they are afraid to lose their power over the Jewish people— from this, we learned three things:

THE JEWISH LEADERS ARE AFRAID TO LOSE THEIR POWER

I WILL NOT HUNGER FOR POWER

GOD WAS RESTORING HIS PEOPLE

That completes chapter 11 of the Gospel of John--- today we will begin with chapter 12— we are getting closer to the time when Jesus was crucified, died, buried and resurrected

Let’s what happens before that— open your Bible to JOHN 12:1-11, once you get there you know what to do, type Amen!

CHARACTER, COMMAND, PROMISES, CONVICTIONS, EXAMPLES, CHALLENGES AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Read JOHN 12:1-11

BOOK

John 12:1–11 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.” 9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

WHAT: Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

WHEN: 6 Days before Passover [Lord’s Supper]

WHERE: Bethany

WHO: Jesus, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Disciples and a crowd of Jews who wants to see Jesus and Lazarus

WHY: Jesus confirms that His death is near

HOW: Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair

LOOK

HE DID NOT SAY THIS BECAUSE HE CARED FOR THE POOR

That’s the mother of all hypocrisy!

To use the poor for his personal gain!

You’ll see a lot of these in the world politics!

SHE SHOULD SAVE THIS PERFUME FOR THE DAY OF MY BURIAL

Jesus is confirming that His death is coming near

YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE POOR AMONG YOU

Jesus reinforced his announcement of his death

There will always be poor among us

We will not run out of opportunity to help the poor

THE CHIEF PRIEST MADE PLANS TO KILL LAZARUS AS WELL

Because of their fear to lose their power over the Jewish people, they also plotted to kill Lazarus— the greatest miracle to witness for Jesus as the true Son of God

TOOK

I WILL NOT EXPLOIT THE POOR FOR MY OWN GAIN

WE WILL NOT RUN OUT OF OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE POOR