WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980 Do you turn if you've got a Bible to Matthew 26. 00:00:03.419 --> 00:00:04.459 Matthew 26. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:09.300 I'm quite a strong believer in biographies at bedtime. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:09.300 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.859 It shows us how God has blessed people in the past. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:38.240 A good biography is inspirational. 00:00:39.980 --> 00:00:42.799 My favourite biography is the memoirs and remains of Robert Murray McShane. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:45.439 I've read it with some of you in the church and I love it. 00:00:46.579 --> 00:00:51.000 As I read about Robert Murray McShane, he was a preacher in the 19th century, he died when he was 28. 00:00:53.740 --> 00:00:55.579 He makes me want to be a better man. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:59.500 He makes me want to love God more. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.579 He makes me want to get up earlier to pray more. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:08.700 He makes me want to preach more fervently, more feelingly. 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:15.960 As I've read that book a number of times, it is godliness that is most attractive. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:20.620 Robert Murray McShane makes me want to do more for the Lord. 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:27.340 But there's another element, isn't there, which we often feel when we read biographies. 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:28.700 How on earth did he do it? 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.019 Because I can't get up early enough. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:33.840 I wish I could. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:36.319 I certainly can't pray long enough. 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:37.420 Do you find that? 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:38.299 I find that very difficult. 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:40.560 I get too distracted. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.000 I can't preach as fervently as Robert Murray McShane. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:56.219 When it comes to people, when it comes to heroes, I think there's a fine line, isn't there, between inspiration and discouragement. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:06.539 People can be, can't they, deeply inspiring, but they can also leave us mere mortals just feeling a little bit depressed. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:09.379 Why aren't I more like them? 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:11.439 Have you ever felt like that? 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:14.080 Why aren't I more like them? 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:15.219 I can't be like them. 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:23.759 And what I often feel about heroes is how I feel when I read this story of the woman at the start of chapter 26. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:30.340 Because on this woman, she pays a terribly high price to honour the Lord Jesus. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:36.759 She is devoted to the Lord Jesus in an outstanding super Christian, Mary McShane kind of way. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:42.539 She too is prepared to make huge sacrifices in order to serve Jesus. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:44.319 And so I wonder how you react to her. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:47.560 Does she inspire you? 00:02:48.459 --> 00:02:52.699 Or does she leave you discouraged at the weakness of your own faith? 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.819 And your love for Christ? 00:02:54.959 --> 00:02:56.680 And that's what I want us to explore this evening. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:07.200 But before we get to this woman, though, we first must hear that Jesus is reminding us that he is going to die. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:09.800 So point one is the price he is going to pay. 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:17.280 Chapter 26, verse 1, brings the public teaching of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel to a close. 00:03:18.379 --> 00:03:24.120 And now the attention is not on the public teaching, but on preparing his disciples for what is about to take place. 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:30.200 And he says to them in verse 2, he says, you know that after two days the Passover is coming, 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:35.520 and the Son of Man, that's how Jesus refers to himself, will be delivered up to be crucified. 00:03:36.420 --> 00:03:41.219 Jesus predicted his death several times, but here he adds a crucial detail. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:43.599 Here he says, I'm telling you when it's going to happen. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:48.620 And he says, I'll be handed over to be crucified during the Passover. 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:56.259 And you will know that the Passover was that Jewish festival which recalled and celebrated how they were delivered from Egypt. 00:03:56.599 --> 00:04:03.420 That great moment when God brought them through the Red Sea, when God delivered them and brought plagues on the Egyptians, 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:05.819 but he passed over the houses of the Israelites. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:09.080 And on that night, all those years ago, do you remember, 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:12.960 the Israelites were distinguished by the blood of a lamb painted on a door. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:20.060 So they marked this annual reminder of God's kindness, secured by the blood of a lamb. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:27.780 And here you find Jesus telling them, my death is going to be at Passover time. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:33.180 It is at Passover time that I will render my life. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:38.079 He's beginning to suggest to them, isn't he, that he is the new Passover lamb. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:43.139 He is the new way to be safe in the face of death. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.219 It is his blood which we shelter under. 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:48.079 And here Jesus drops the hint. 00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:54.360 But when he has his last meal with them, later on in chapter 26, he explains it further. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:57.479 But at this point, Matthew doesn't stop to explain. 00:04:57.860 --> 00:05:00.539 He just simply tells us, this is what Jesus is predicting. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:05.219 But this is also exactly what the Jewish leaders are plotting. 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:10.420 It's striking that he uses the word then at the start of verse 3. 00:05:10.780 --> 00:05:13.380 If this was a movie, wasn't it, you'd have split scenes. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:19.080 You'd have a scene where Jesus tells his disciples he's about to be crucified. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:24.000 And then you would cut straight to the temple, the palace of the high priest. 00:05:24.940 --> 00:05:27.480 And the camera would zoom in on that conversation. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:29.260 Taking place. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:33.800 And we would hear of them planning and plotting Jesus' arrest and execution. 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:41.140 And it's a stunning reminder to you and I at the start of chapter 26 that Jesus is not going to be caught by surprise. 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:49.000 What is about to happen to him is part of God's plan and God's foreknowledge. 00:05:50.760 --> 00:05:53.860 There is nothing here which is outside of God's control. 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:57.740 The chief priests and the elders are in their headquarters. 00:05:57.960 --> 00:06:00.480 And no doubt they think, we are in control. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:02.520 We're about to take control of the situation. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:04.860 But they're not in control, are they? 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:06.080 Jesus is in control of it. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:09.360 And what they are planning 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:12.160 is what Jesus has predicted. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:18.260 And ironically, I think Matthew tells us that they are in the palace, 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:22.000 behaving like they have some kind of sovereignty. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:28.020 But in reality, there is only one who is sovereign here, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:29.520 He is king. 00:06:30.760 --> 00:06:32.140 And we see this even in what they say. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:33.160 Look at verses 4 and 5. 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:35.160 And they plotted together. 00:06:36.020 --> 00:06:37.660 It's got echoes of Psalm 2. 00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:42.840 They plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:44.360 But they said, I'm not doing the feast. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.300 Lest there be an uproar among the people. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:50.480 They wanted to avoid killing Jesus during the Passover. 00:06:52.320 --> 00:06:56.180 So they don't want to stir up trouble for themselves among Jesus' supporters. 00:06:56.460 --> 00:06:59.640 The population of Jerusalem swells during Passover time. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:01.160 It's a great festival. 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:01.800 It's a great festival. 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:05.280 And so politics is always a little bit more risky at that point. 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:09.400 But of course, Jesus has said it will be during the Passover. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:15.200 It will be exactly then, when he is handed over, and so it proved to be. 00:07:16.780 --> 00:07:18.300 The Jewish leaders aren't in control. 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:21.760 They can't even do what they propose to do. 00:07:23.440 --> 00:07:28.020 The events that are about to unfold will unfold exactly as God wants. 00:07:29.580 --> 00:07:31.140 Exactly as Jesus predicts. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:37.300 But having reminded us so explicitly of the price that Jesus will pay, 00:07:38.260 --> 00:07:42.820 Matthew then chooses to tell us of the price this nameless woman pays. 00:07:44.580 --> 00:07:45.240 Verse 6. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:54.040 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask. 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:57.379 A very expensive ointment. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:00.819 And she put it on his head as he reclined at table. 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:05.240 It is nothing if not extravagant. 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:05.800 It is. 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:06.240 It is. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:06.379 It is. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:13.460 Matthew explicitly tells us it was very expensive. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:19.139 Experts reckon it's some sort of alabaster jar that would have been a kind of family heirloom of some sort. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:23.500 Some people say that it was equivalent to a year's wages. 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:24.439 Some say more. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:30.219 Whichever way you look at it, it wasn't a bottle of aftershave that you can buy at the post office. 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:34.160 It was an extremely generous gesture. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:40.600 And you note, that's not how the disciples saw it. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.639 Can you see what they say? 00:08:42.719 --> 00:08:44.539 They say, verse 8, what a waste. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.559 And they take the moral high ground. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:51.980 And they point out, well, what could have been done with the money? 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:52.740 Verse 8. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:56.559 This could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor. 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:00.519 They thought the woman's action is unnecessary and quite frankly bizarre. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:04.439 Even frivolous. 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:06.079 And it's hard not to sympathize with them. 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:09.779 It's a pretty strange thing for this woman to do. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:18.220 If someone spends a lot of money on buying me a present, I prefer that it was something that I could actually use. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:27.639 My brother worked out that in the church that he was at, that if he dropped into a sermon in November, 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:30.779 there, that he liked a certain type of food, that's what he got for Christmas. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.220 So one year he dropped in that he liked Ferrero Rocher. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.860 He's got hundreds of boxes of Ferrero Rocher. 00:09:41.199 --> 00:09:42.319 You think we don't need that. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.240 You see this gift here, isn't it? 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:47.720 The disciples, how do they feel about this gift? 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.000 They feel it's completely unneeded. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:53.820 It's not as if Jesus was any richer walking away from it. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:59.379 But nevertheless, the money has been spent, as it were. 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:01.740 And you can't help thinking, can you? 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:03.799 Verse 9. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:05.179 It's a good point. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:05.879 The poor. 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:08.179 Think what good could have been done with this money. 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:11.419 Think about the cash value. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:12.919 What you could have done with that. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:16.200 But Jesus says you're missing the point. 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:17.620 They call it a waste. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:19.920 But can you see what Jesus calls it in verse 10? 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.879 He calls it beautiful. 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:28.020 Jesus, aware of this, said to them, 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.879 Why do you trouble the woman? 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:33.879 For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.700 You notice in verse 13, 00:10:38.800 --> 00:10:41.759 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.860 what she has done will also be told in memory of her. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:47.560 Jesus is honoured by what this woman did. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:51.700 He's honoured by the extravagance of her action. 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.659 And it says something, doesn't it, 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:56.620 about how much she values the Lord Jesus. 00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:01.440 It says something about what she thinks Jesus is worth. 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:05.680 What she thinks about what Jesus deserves. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:08.500 It is not economically rational. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.820 But some things transcend economics. 00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:17.400 Although I hasten to add, this doesn't transcend reason. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:23.540 Because what this woman does is thoughtful and well-judged action, 00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:24.920 even if it is extravagant. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:30.440 And the woman believes that Jesus' presence is a rare jewel. 00:11:31.140 --> 00:11:32.720 And at this moment of history, 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:34.379 and at this moment in her life, 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:40.000 and her honouring him is actually more important, 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:41.679 far more important, 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.860 than giving to the poor. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:48.720 And amazingly, and wonderfully, and shockingly, 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:49.679 Jesus agrees with her. 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:53.419 And that's why he says, 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:56.000 what she has done will be told in her memory. 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:57.299 She has honoured him, 00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:59.699 and so she too will be honoured. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:05.159 And indeed, the fact that we're reading about her in 2023, 00:12:07.579 --> 00:12:10.599 and literally millions know of her, 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:11.679 and read about her, 00:12:12.079 --> 00:12:13.699 down through history, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:14.819 it's evidence, isn't it, 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:15.659 that Jesus was right. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:18.959 And it's a fascinating thing, 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.699 that Jesus honours her in this way. 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:25.279 When you think of all the people, 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:27.500 I'm down through history, 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:28.779 who've had great titles, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.100 and great achievements, 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.759 and they've had letters after their name, 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.539 but now they're forgotten. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.679 When you think of the New Year's honours list, 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.919 at the start of this month, 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.620 do you remember who the people are on that list? 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:44.639 You mean to tell me you can't remember Pauline D, 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:47.080 the very first female councillor and mayor, 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.519 in the town of Wem, Shropshire? 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.259 She's a member of the British Empire Medal. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.059 Or what about Mary Buck? 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.220 You know Mary Buck, don't you? 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.240 From Swanage. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:58.000 She worked tirelessly in the COVID vaccination centre. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:59.000 She's so well known. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.939 Or Sue Sayer. 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.539 Sue Sayer, 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.439 that world-renowned, 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:07.179 famous founder of the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:09.700 who received the honour for services 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.679 to wildlife protection and conservatism. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:12.759 We know her, don't we? 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.240 We haven't got a clue. 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:17.639 So many, isn't it, 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:19.340 of worldly honours are forgotten. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.679 And yet, this is a woman in Matthew's account 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.879 who doesn't even have a name. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.159 And yet she's known and she's remembered 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:30.399 by every generation that reads Matthew's Gospel. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.860 And she's known and she's admired 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.279 for what she does for Jesus. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:37.360 And that is why I think she's nameless here. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.700 She's not nameless in the other Gospels, 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.759 but she's nameless here. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:45.059 Because what Jesus wants to honour 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:46.220 is not who she is, 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.879 but as much as what she's done. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:51.279 Because of what she did, 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.340 gives honour to Jesus. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.679 And it alerts us, doesn't it, 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.700 to Jesus' worth. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:58.639 It tells you and I that Jesus 00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:00.819 is someone who is worth paying 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:02.639 a very high price for indeed. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:05.620 And that's why Jesus sees 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.699 her extravagant act of devotion 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.960 as a thing of beauty. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.519 But Jesus sees an even deeper 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.600 significance in her action. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.840 Possibly, in fact, I think 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.199 almost certainly deeper 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.620 than the woman understood. 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.360 She didn't grasp. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.360 Look at verse 12, what it says. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.120 It says, 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:30.039 So Jesus sees her act 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.360 as a special kind of anointing. 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.320 The kind of anointing 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:37.120 that dead bodies were given. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.120 The pouring out of a perfume 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:41.139 was like Jesus being embalmed. 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.899 And Jesus sees this beautiful moment 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.460 as a step in his preparation 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.320 for that moment 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:48.919 to which his whole life 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.799 has been directed to. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:52.159 That moment when he will 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.319 lay down his life 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.179 for his people 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:56.259 in a way that she couldn't 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:56.699 have understood 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.879 at this point. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.099 Even this woman 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:04.299 would be saved 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.479 by the death 00:15:05.479 --> 00:15:06.419 her anointing 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.659 was preparing him for. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.339 And then in the last 00:15:11.339 --> 00:15:12.679 three verses of the passage, 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.000 can you see the cost, 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.159 the price of betrayal, 00:15:15.359 --> 00:15:16.500 verse 14 to 16? 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:20.179 The price of betrayal. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:23.940 And I think Matthew 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:24.960 suddenly brings 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.179 into the foreground 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.559 what's been in the shadow 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:28.720 for much of the gospel. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.539 He tells us very matter-of-factly 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.019 Judas, 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.799 one of the twelve, 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.120 goes to the Jewish leaders 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.000 and he offers 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.019 to hand Jesus over to them. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:44.419 to hand Jesus 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.019 over to them. 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:49.460 But the question he asks 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.539 in verse 15 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:52.600 I think really helps us. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.980 It gets to the heart 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.919 of the point. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.299 He asks, 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:59.620 what will you give me 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:02.240 if I deliver him 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.000 over to you? 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.939 What is Jesus worth to you? 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:10.120 What is the price 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.600 you're willing to pay? 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:13.180 What is the cost? 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:13.860 He asks. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:15.920 And their answer is 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:17.240 I'm 30 pieces of silver. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.760 It's what a slave 00:16:19.760 --> 00:16:20.640 was worth 00:16:20.640 --> 00:16:21.340 in the Old Testament 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.260 at times. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.760 It's what a shepherd 00:16:24.760 --> 00:16:25.420 got paid. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.460 Either way, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.540 it's not a lot of money. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.860 Judas agrees to the sum. 00:16:33.400 --> 00:16:34.060 And so Jesus, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.420 Judas plays the part 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:36.920 of the economic realist. 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:40.780 except his act 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:42.140 is not rational at all. 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.620 Because in agreeing 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.520 to that sum, 00:16:46.780 --> 00:16:47.600 he agrees, 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.020 doesn't he, 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.940 with the chief priest. 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.460 What was Jesus worth 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.060 for Judas? 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.120 To Judas? 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.160 Not very much. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.140 And of course, 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.080 this is what the disciples 00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.720 were struggling with 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.280 in verse 8. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:05.120 They were not convinced 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.620 that Jesus was worth 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:08.119 what the woman did. 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.319 So can you see 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.919 the whole section 00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:11.699 of Matthew 26? 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.619 It's all about people 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.699 who undervalue Jesus. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.659 And the disciples 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.899 thought that this woman's 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:18.000 beautiful extravagance 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.939 was a waste. 00:17:20.739 --> 00:17:21.859 Judas would rather 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:23.799 profit from Jesus' death 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.659 than prevent it. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.099 And the Jewish leaders 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.939 were only too willing 00:17:27.939 --> 00:17:28.739 to part with some 00:17:28.739 --> 00:17:29.299 loose change 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.119 to get what they wanted 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:30.639 all along. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:30.780 woman. 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:33.420 And in their way, 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.820 all these characters 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:36.000 undervalue Jesus. 00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:36.820 That's the backdrop. 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.820 And so together, 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:42.040 they form this backdrop 00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:43.500 of undervaluing Jesus. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.520 And the contrast 00:17:44.520 --> 00:17:46.160 is this nameless woman. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.840 And she alone, 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.200 of all the key players 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.920 in the story, 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:51.660 values Jesus 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.540 for what he's really worth. 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.060 She alone 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.060 sees Jesus 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:57.320 for who he truly is. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.319 She alone 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.460 seems eager 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.339 to give to Jesus 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.460 what he truly deserves. 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:04.619 She is extravagant 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.439 while all the others 00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.379 are stingy 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:08.079 or worse. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.799 And worst of all 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.240 is Judas. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.599 One of the twelve. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:14.179 Jesus' closest friends. 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:17.519 Those he confided in. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.759 And yet he decides 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.339 that following 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.980 a so-called king 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.519 who was going to 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.339 surrender his life 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.220 wasn't worth it. 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.279 Thirty pieces of silver 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.960 would be worth more. 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.919 And in verse two, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.659 Jesus predicted. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.779 Notice the words. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.960 Can you see what it says? 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.919 Handed over 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.559 to be crucified. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.759 Delivered up 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.480 to be crucified. 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.720 At that point, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.779 we don't know 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.960 who by. 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.539 But by the time 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.639 we come to verse 16, 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:45.619 we make the discovery, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:45.980 don't we, 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.559 that Jesus 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.059 will be handed over 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:50.939 by his friend. 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.200 The ESV 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.559 doesn't help us 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.200 as much as it should, 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.880 but that language 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.700 of handed over 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.400 is in both 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:01.420 verse two 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.740 and in verse 16. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.100 It turns out 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.519 that Judas 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.539 is the handover man. 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.559 And so the change 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.000 of events 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.500 has started 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.440 that will lead 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.180 to Jesus' death, 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.860 the fulfillment 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.660 of the prediction. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.840 And so 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.519 there's something else 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.860 we see. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.240 These three sections 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.640 have got something 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.360 else in common. 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:22.619 because not only 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.119 is Jesus 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:25.079 worth being debated 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.919 all the way through, 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.259 but Jesus' death 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.839 is on view 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.559 at every point. 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:31.339 So in verse four, 00:19:31.479 --> 00:19:32.079 the Jewish leaders 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.779 are plotting 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.619 Jesus' death. 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.399 And the woman 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.619 with the alabaster jar 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.379 is preparing 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.459 Jesus for his death. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.119 And then we see 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.219 Judas receiving money 00:19:42.219 --> 00:19:42.919 to bring about 00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.539 Jesus' death. 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.059 Each in their own way, 00:19:47.219 --> 00:19:47.599 these people 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.099 are anticipating it. 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:52.459 but only one 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.759 had any hint 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:56.240 that Jesus' death 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.000 was part of 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.059 what made Jesus worthy. 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:00.879 And only one 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.439 would benefit 00:20:01.439 --> 00:20:02.319 from Jesus' death 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.959 and would be enriched 00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:06.019 far more generously 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.699 than she had been 00:20:06.699 --> 00:20:07.379 generous to him. 00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:10.139 And it really is 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.539 the difference 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.459 between that nameless woman 00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:12.059 and everyone else 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.599 in the story. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.099 And I think it's 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.559 at the heart 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.079 of this section 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.480 of Matthew, 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.879 surrounded by people 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.339 who want to 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.679 participate in 00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.539 the killing of Jesus. 00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:21.759 This woman lovingly 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.599 prepares his body 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:24.259 for what he must 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.679 undergo. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.199 And surrounded by 00:20:26.199 --> 00:20:26.559 people who 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.679 undervalue Jesus, 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.799 she sees his true 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.659 worth and she 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.439 treats him accordingly. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.879 And so it's her 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:33.759 action that shines 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.819 like a floodlight 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.699 against the dark 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.899 backdrop 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.339 that these other 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.179 characters provide. 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:41.180 people who 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.019 are not 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.400 but as I said 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.820 at the start 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.420 of this sermon, 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.480 I'm in danger 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:45.799 of finding 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.940 this woman's act 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.039 more discouraging 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.799 than inspiring. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.460 I'm left 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.180 wondering to myself, 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.720 if I had been 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.279 sitting around the 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:54.779 table at that 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.400 dinner party, 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:58.480 what would I have 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.660 done? 00:20:58.860 --> 00:20:59.299 What would I have 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.500 said? 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.060 I'm left feeling 00:21:04.060 --> 00:21:04.900 it's pretty unlikely 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.360 I'd have said 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:05.840 anything different 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.600 to the disciples. 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:09.679 I'm left feeling 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.599 that her devotion 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.659 is very difficult 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.579 for me to match. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.859 Maybe my faith 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.859 is weak in 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.339 comparison. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:18.959 My love 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:20.980 paltry 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.419 compared to 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:22.699 hers. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.099 And though 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.399 I feel in my 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:24.799 heart I should 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.619 be inspired by 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.039 this woman, 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.579 the fact is 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.319 I can come away 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.059 from this story 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.980 deflated and 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.919 discouraged by her. 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:34.659 What I've come 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.139 to see as I've 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:35.559 studied this 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.240 passage is if I 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.960 did walk away 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.240 like that, 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.000 I've completely 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.779 missed the point 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.400 of the passage. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.660 Because Matthew 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.299 does not want 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.000 you and I to be 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.759 discouraged by this 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.799 woman, nor does 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.339 he want me to be 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.339 inspired by this 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.019 woman. 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.559 He wants me to 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.559 see Jesus. 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.839 He wants me to 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.640 see what she 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.319 saw, and that's 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:55.740 the secret. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:58.980 Because what 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.779 makes this woman 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.240 want to honour 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.539 Jesus and to pay 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.660 such a high price 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:06.779 to honour him 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.640 so extravagantly, 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:10.360 what makes her 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:11.000 willing to pay 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.940 such a high price 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.820 to save Jesus, 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.560 Jesus does. 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.000 Because she 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.500 sees what 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.380 Jesus is worth. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.680 And because she 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.480 sees Jesus 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.920 clearly. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.000 And what she 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.600 does is the 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.220 most natural 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.860 thing to her 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.440 in the world. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.440 is the 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:27.600 moment. 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.440 And what I 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:30.860 want to impress 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.420 upon you tonight 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:31.880 at the end of 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:32.400 this Lord's Day 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.759 is this is 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.080 massive. 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.820 It's a massive 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.620 mistake to see 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.640 something like 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.420 this woman does 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.220 and marvel at 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.660 her faith. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.820 It's a mistake 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:42.019 because it falsely 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.820 assumes that what 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:44.740 makes this woman 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.559 different to me is 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.200 that she's got more 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.120 faith, or she's got 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:47.900 a stronger faith, 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.140 or something like 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.380 that. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.860 That's the very 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.420 thing, isn't it, 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.160 that creates 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.799 discouragement. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.539 But in actual 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:56.400 fact, if there is a 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.019 difference between 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.660 her and me, 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.000 it's simply that 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:02.019 she values Jesus 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.180 more highly than 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.540 I do. 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.560 That she has seen 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.759 Jesus more clearly 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.360 than I have. 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:11.360 And that's the 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.080 mistake that I think 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:12.700 I've made in the 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.540 past with biographies 00:23:13.540 --> 00:23:14.240 like Robert Murray 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.759 McShane. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.800 That I think what 00:23:15.800 --> 00:23:16.800 makes them different 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.460 is the amount of 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.180 faith they had, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.200 or the strength of 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.920 their love for 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.259 Jesus. 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.820 But in actual 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:22.840 fact, their life 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:24.160 is simply a product 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:24.940 of the fact 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.779 that they see 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.299 Jesus more 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.559 clearly. 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.039 And this woman 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.920 has come to 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:33.120 realize what 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.039 Jesus is worth. 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.180 And that is the 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.779 way with everyone 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.660 who pays a great 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:41.900 price to serve 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.840 Jesus and honor 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.640 him extravagantly. 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.759 There are no 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.279 super Christians. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:49.980 Do you hear that? 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.640 There are no 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.680 super Christians. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:54.980 Christians. 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.180 There is just a 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.799 super Christ. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.740 There are no 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.320 super Christians, 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.200 but there are 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.400 Christians who see 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:07.420 Jesus Christ. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.279 And who treat 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:12.500 Jesus for all 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.980 he's worth. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.220 And there are 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.779 Christians whose 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.700 vision is blurred 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:20.460 of the Lord Jesus. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.740 And therefore, 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.259 they are pretty 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.640 stingy or worse. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:29.460 what would it 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:29.980 take, I wonder, 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.539 for us to give, 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.019 let's just say, 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.200 a year's worth of 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.880 salary to the 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.259 work of the 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.460 kingdom? 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.620 What would it 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.140 take for you and 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:39.279 I to surrender a 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.200 life of comfort 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.160 and to sacrifice 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.140 greatly for the 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.380 kingdom? 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.840 What would it 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.539 take for us to 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.700 hand over all our 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.640 biggest fears to 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.860 Jesus and go where 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:50.840 he wanted us to go 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.460 and do what he 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.140 wanted us to do? 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:55.420 This lameless woman 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.160 would tell us one 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.540 thing. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.720 She would tell us, 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.300 see Jesus. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.840 Know who he is. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.920 And know him as a 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:06.020 king who died because 00:25:06.020 --> 00:25:06.720 he is worthy. 00:25:09.520 --> 00:25:10.340 And when you know 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.600 Jesus' true worth 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.360 deep down in your 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.240 soul, there will be 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.160 nothing that you'd 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.060 rather hang on to 00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:15.420 than him. 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:17.880 And there will be 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.800 nothing at all to 00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:20.019 fear in surrendering 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.640 to him. 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.860 Come to think of 00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:24.400 it, what would it 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.380 take to give a 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.140 tenth of our salary 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.779 to the work of the 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.100 church? 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.660 Or to simply pray 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:28.920 more? 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.580 What would it 00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:32.259 take for us to 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.080 truly repent and 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:34.539 break those sins 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:36.000 that we constantly 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.580 battle with? 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.259 What would it 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.759 take for us to 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.400 speak more 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.920 enthusiastically 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.440 about Jesus 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.440 to family and 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:45.900 friends? 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:49.000 What would it 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.620 take for us to 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.080 have those 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:51.480 difficult conversations 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.320 that we know we 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.000 should have but 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.880 they're terrified of 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.140 having? 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.000 What would it 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.539 take for us to 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.460 love more graciously 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:00.120 those we find 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.700 hard to live? 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.440 And this 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.120 nameless woman 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.600 would tell us 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.600 the same thing. 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:09.180 See Jesus. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.740 Because this 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.220 passage isn't 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.759 really about this 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.000 woman. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:16.320 This passage 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:16.900 isn't about this 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.120 woman. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.880 It's about the 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.519 man whose 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.180 head she 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.660 covers with 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.000 perfume. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.720 She is 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.620 nameless but 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.160 he is not. 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.700 At the end of 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:26.940 the day we 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.340 don't need to 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:27.779 know her, do we? 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.240 But we need to 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.559 know what 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.360 compels her to 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.160 act the way she 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:32.820 did and this 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:34.640 passage keeps 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.539 thrusting before 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.080 you and I 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:37.039 what is Jesus 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.539 worth? 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.500 And the 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.220 answer is he 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.900 is worthy. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:46.200 he is worthy 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.840 of what this 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.840 man did for 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.340 him and 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:49.100 much, much 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.620 more. 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.680 Jesus' name is 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.200 a name that we 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.860 do know because 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.559 at the end of 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.039 the day we do 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.480 need to know 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:55.620 him. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.779 And the 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.960 more we know 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.740 him the more 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.559 likely we are to 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.920 see that what the 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.259 world regards as a 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:07.720 waste, being as a 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.600 Christian, living 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.519 faithfully as a 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.279 Christian, standing 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.120 firm as a Christian 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.599 like we heard 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:13.439 this morning, even 00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:14.139 giving of our 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.819 lives to kingdom 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.639 ministry, giving 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.799 yourself to the 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.839 life of God's 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:21.219 church, those 00:27:21.219 --> 00:27:21.839 things aren't a 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:24.479 waste, but they're 00:27:24.479 --> 00:27:25.359 beautiful in the 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.919 sight of God. 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.299 And more to the 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.739 point, the more 00:27:29.739 --> 00:27:30.519 that we know him, 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.679 the more likely we 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.759 are to see what we 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.879 sometimes regard as 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.759 wasteful, as 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:37.119 beautiful to him. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:42.579 So as I kind of 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.159 bring this message 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:45.739 to you, as we 00:27:45.739 --> 00:27:47.079 seek to share the 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.199 gospel and live out 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:49.059 the gospel in front 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.579 of our neighbours 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.539 and friends, 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.000 remember that 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.079 people that you 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.859 live amongst and 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.639 work amongst don't 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.739 really need you to 00:27:57.739 --> 00:27:58.859 tell them how much 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.739 faith they ought to 00:27:59.739 --> 00:28:00.039 have. 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.139 And they don't 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:04.959 primarily need you 00:28:04.959 --> 00:28:05.739 to tell them that 00:28:05.739 --> 00:28:06.399 their lives are 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.800 empty. 00:28:08.780 --> 00:28:09.460 If they're not 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:09.980 Christians, they 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.340 know that. 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.420 You'll primarily 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.440 need you to tell 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:14.960 them about the 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.960 Christian worldview, 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.259 Christian ethical 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.860 standpoint. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.000 They don't even 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.259 really need a kind 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.280 of set of 00:28:24.280 --> 00:28:25.200 propositions that 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.900 you want them to 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.160 believe. 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.660 What they primarily 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.380 need, in fact, 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.100 what they desperately 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.340 need to do is they 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.180 need you to introduce 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.759 them to Jesus. 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.700 With all the 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.460 compassion and the 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.180 conviction and 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.120 earnestness of those 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.680 who know Jesus 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.120 well. 00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:42.240 And know how 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.880 much he's worth. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.920 And as your 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.560 minister, you don't 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:49.440 need me to tell you 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.080 primarily how 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:51.000 important evangelism 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.980 is or what 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.720 method you ought to 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.700 use or what 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.440 kind of diagrams 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:58.019 and little images 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.799 you should use. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.240 Or how to answer 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.060 the tricky questions 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:01.779 that people ask. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.680 Those things are 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.019 important. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.079 important. 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.160 But if we can be 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.019 trained in that, but 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.059 if we don't put 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.519 people to Jesus, we 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.920 produce far more 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.299 discouragement than 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.779 inspiration. 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.059 And what you need 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.500 more than anything, 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.200 what I need more than 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.839 anything, is to see 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.440 Jesus clearly. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.720 And to be absolutely 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.599 gripped by that 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.559 compelling sense of 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.339 what he is worth. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.399 love. 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.980 And so what I need 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.359 most and what you 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.199 need most is not 00:29:29.199 --> 00:29:30.000 more time. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.419 And it's not more 00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:33.079 resources. 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.339 And as a church, what 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.519 we need is not more 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:37.079 generous donors and 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.639 not more ministry 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.259 partners. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.519 At the end of the day, 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.199 the only thing that 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:41.959 sustains Christians 00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:42.859 through the trials and 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:44.039 temptations and 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.919 exhaustion and 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:46.699 exhilaration of living 00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:47.519 as a Christian is a 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.399 worshipful heart. 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:51.140 And there's only one 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.320 thing that creates a 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:53.380 properly worshipful 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:53.960 heart and that is 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.540 knowing Jesus. 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.140 Because when we know 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.200 him well, we will 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.820 appreciate him. 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.580 And we'll value him. 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.700 And we'll pay great 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.380 costs and we'll make 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.300 great sacrifices because 00:30:05.300 --> 00:30:06.400 we know he is worthy. 00:30:08.800 --> 00:30:10.060 And we'll play small 00:30:10.060 --> 00:30:12.040 steps and take small 00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:13.000 steps of Christian 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.759 progress. 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.980 because we'll have a 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.960 settled conviction that 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.820 there is no higher 00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:23.080 privilege, no richer 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.840 blessing than knowing 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.220 Jesus. 00:30:28.540 --> 00:30:29.580 Those who know Jesus 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:32.320 best are those who 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:33.259 know the price he has 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.560 paid. 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.680 The price paid is the 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.700 most expensive and 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.500 generous price that 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.080 could ever be paid. 00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.660 And those who know 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.480 Jesus best know that 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.640 this nameless woman's 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.980 extravagance towards him 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.500 was just a shadow, a 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.280 picture of his 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.359 extravagance towards 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:49.579 us. 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.539 And in the light of 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.440 that, nothing we could 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:55.420 ever do for him is a 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.899 high price. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.139 Those who know Jesus 00:30:59.139 --> 00:30:59.839 best know that there 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.160 is no cost so great 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.759 that we wouldn't 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.500 gladly pay it. 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:05.240 Because he is and he 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.359 was and he is and he 00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:07.579 always will be worthy 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:07.920 of it. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.960 And this has become a 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.660 favorite story of mine, 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.500 not because the woman 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.960 inspires me, but because 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:16.799 this act reminds me of 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:18.079 how worthy the Lord 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.960 she serves us. 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.419 Some of you have 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.220 actually made great 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.099 sacrifices for the 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:25.220 Lord Jesus and every 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.419 sacrifice you have made 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:28.740 for the Lord Jesus has 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.179 been utterly sensible. 00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:33.379 And this woman encourages 00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.319 you and I to keep 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.460 surrendering ourselves to 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.339 Jesus and she does that 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:36.939 not by pointing to 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:37.919 herself, but by pointing 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.460 to Jesus. 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.740 That's a very different 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.439 kind of inspiration. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:45.600 She says, I need to pray 00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.940 this simple prayer to 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.140 Jesus every day. 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:50.200 Please open my eyes to 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.059 see you more clearly. 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:55.840 C.T. 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.220 Stead has fascinated me 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.759 since I was a little 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:57.980 boy. 00:31:58.100 --> 00:31:59.360 Charlie Stead, he was a 00:31:59.360 --> 00:32:00.240 cricketer for England. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.779 He was in the name of 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.100 the cricket team. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.299 He gave it all to be a 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.539 missionary. 00:32:05.320 --> 00:32:06.960 I think it's fair to say 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.799 that C.T. 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:10.240 Stead was nuts and pretty 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.360 impossible to work with. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.559 He was certainly very 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.579 hard at work to live 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:14.799 with. 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.840 He saw his wife for 00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:17.819 three weeks in the last 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:19.900 seven years of his life. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.519 I think she was probably 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.940 relieved. 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.799 But C.T. 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:26.620 Stead said this, because I 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.340 think he understood 00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:28.140 Matthew 26. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.900 He said, if Jesus Christ 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.360 be God and died for me, 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:36.359 then no sacrifice can be 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.519 too great for me to make 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.839 for him. 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.119 Let's pray.