This is Part 39 in a year-long series on the book of Mark. Today's teaching is by Jason English, Teaching and Vision Pastor at theHeart church in Boone, NC.

Subtitle: Jesus Anointed

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MARK 14:1-5

 

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.  “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”  While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.

She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

 

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MARK 14:6-9

 

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.  She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 

 

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“Love does not do only good things. Love does lovely things.”

William Barclay

 

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MARK 14:10-11

 

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money.  So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

 

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ADVENT CATECHISM

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year,

she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah,

for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming,

the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.

 

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THE FOUR ADVENT CANDLES

1.Hope.

2.Love.

3.Joy.

4. Peace.

 

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How do we make attractive that which is not?

How you sell emptiness, vulnerability, and nonsuccess?

How do you talk descent when everything is about ascent?

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How do you talk about dying to a church trying to appear perfect?

This is not going to work

(which might be my first step).

Richard Rohr

 

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A RESPONSIVE PRAYER ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Take time, in the busyness of this season, for quiet reflection

For the light of God’s love is discernible everywhere. 

We will let ourselves be surprised by wonder,

And set aside time to offer quiet thanks.

Christ is coming.

Christ is always coming.

God is always preparing something new.

Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning,

we thank You for Your gift of love

shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him.

Amen.