Images of Christ

Text: John 12:1-8 (NIV)

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at 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 pinta 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.b” 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.”

I.        Introduction: What is your picture of Christ? If you were to paint a portrait of Christ right now, what would it look like? Surprise! You are an artist, and you are already painting pictures of Jesus for everybody to see. Let me illustrate it from this passage. We can see images of Christ painted on several canvases in by several artists.

II.      (The Guests) A Celebrated Jesus: Expressed Through Demonstrated Esteem

A.      Celebrating His Miraculous Work

B.      Celebrating At A Special Occasion

C.      Celebrating With Dedicated Service

D.      Celebrating With Personal Companionship

III.   (Mary) A  Praiseworthy Jesus: Expressed Through Devoted Extravagance

A.      An Extravagant Act of Praise: Standing Out in Worship

B.      The Extravagant Cost of Praise: Spending Big in Worship

C.      An Extravagant Humility in Praise: Stooping Low in Worship

D.      An Extravagant Reminder of Praise: Smelling Strong of Worship

IV.    (Judas) A Discount Jesus: Expressed Through Denied Expense

A.      Jesus Devalued Through Criticism

B.      Jesus Devalued Through Greed

C.      Jesus Devalued Through Betrayal

V.      (Jesus) An Elevated Jesus: Expressed Through Decided Exaltation

A.      Elevated in Action: Paying Homage to Divinity

B.      Elevated in Choices:  Hearing the Message of Priority

C.      Elevated in Circumstance:  Taking Advantage of Opportunity

VI.    Conclusion: We show through our actions what we think of Christ. The image we possess of Christ in our hearts is made visible in Worship.

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a Greek a litra (probably about 0.5 liter)

b Greek three hundred denarii