Worthy of Our Worship
Mark 14:3-9
Introduction
What we treasure occupies our hearts. Jesus warned uw that there is only room for one true treasure in our lives. Matthew 6:21-“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The battle for our hearts is over whether Jesus is our true treasure.
Today we are looking at Mark 14:3-9 and turning our attention to the town of Bethany before the Passover
Big Idea: When Jesus becomes invaluable (priceless, precious, treasured) your worship of him will be incredible
PRAY
Context:
14:1-2 – 2 days before; CP and Scribes plot to kill Jesus
14:10 – plan to betray Jesus (Judas)
READ 14:3 – woman celebrating Jesus at Simon the Leper’s house
John 12:1-3 ON SCREEN – parallel story
6 days before Passover; Lazarus (raised), the disciples, Martha (serving), and Mary (the woman)
“They gave a dinner for him there” - guest of honor, appreciation dinner
Why? - John 11 – Lazarus resurrection (11:25 – I am the resurrection and the life; 11:43 – Lazarus come out).
This house is full of joy, celebration, and love towards Jesus!
The mood in this house is that Jesus is worthy of our worship . . . .He is worthy of …
Extravagant Worship, 14:3-5
READ 14:3
What do we learn about her worship . . .
It was Expensive – very costly
Imported perfumed oil from India
Street value is 300 denarii – worth over a year of wages – could have fed at least 300 families food for a day.
Where did she get it from? Family heirloon passed down, dowry, did they all pitch in? We do know it is expensive!
It was Sacrificial
Not only very expensive but it cost her something.
It was Excessive/Elaborate
Poured it over his head
Not unusual to anoint the head of the guest of honour (Psalm 23:5)
(John 12) flows down to his feet; hair to wipe with oil
There is a totality and completeness in this – from head to toe!
No holding back – full out honor, celebration and worship of Jesus.
It was Misunderstood/ Challenged/Condemned
READ 14:4-5
Wasteful - Why was the ointment wasted like that? She is doing this to Jesus; wasted; indignantly (angry)
Under the disguise of wisdom they express condemnation
Almsgiving to the poor during Passover time
They scolded her (snorted like horses at her) – What are you doing?
Application
When it comes to Jesus are you more like Mary or more like the disciples?
Mary – full out, no holding back extravagant worship of Jesus
Disciples – they don’t see worship or celebration but a lack of wisdom and waste.
Examples:
Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44) – she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste
Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31); - Go sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste?
Adoniram Judson’s request to his Father in Law to marry Ann Hasseltine; 1812 would be married and then 2 weeks later off to India and then Burma
Quote ON SCREEN – Worship?/Wisdom?/Waste?
We need wisdom but there are times that we use “wisdom” as a disguise for our idols of security, significance, acceptance, love and meaning!
THE QUESTION: Why aren’t more of us worshiping Jesus like Mary?
Where does this extravagant worship come from??
All-Encompassing Worth, 14:6-8
BIG IDEA: When Jesus is invaluable our worship becomes incredible
READ 14:6
Jesus rebukes his disciples, 14:6
Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? . . . Stop bothering her!
Jesus reveals her worship as beautiful, 14:6
Wouldn’t you love to have Jesus say, you have done a beautiful thing to me?
“Beautiful” – pure, noble, perfect, complete
Jesus tells his disciples this is what you should be doing – don’t stop her
What makes this so beautiful to Jesus?
The cost of the sacrifice - pouring out this expensive oil on Jesus??
NO – it’s not the size of the cheque but it is her heart
Her worship reveals that Jesus is her PRIORITY, READ 14:7
Jesus is not against ministry to the po
