WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.440 Well, this morning as we take time to listen to the Word of God, we're returning to our series in the Gospel of John. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.740 As we do, I want to take a couple minutes to remind us of where we've been so far in this series. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:18.760 Now, we've been at this for quite a while, so I'm not going to do a full overview here. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:24.660 Those messages are all online. We're not going to trace all the things we learned about Jesus or God. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:31.000 But just a few things, enough to get our bearings to know where we are in the story of Jesus as we continue on here. 00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:37.859 So after John's wonderful introduction about who Jesus really is in the first chapter of his Gospel, 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:45.400 he picks up the story with Jesus at John the Baptizer in the days when he was doing his ministry, 00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:48.420 the days when Jesus first went public. 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:54.420 And John tells us about how some of Jesus' first disciples came to follow him and believe in him. 00:00:54.659 --> 00:00:59.319 He tells us about the miracle at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:04.679 From there, John followed Jesus down to Jerusalem for Passover. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:09.659 And we saw Jesus do some interesting stuff in the temple courts. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:13.079 And we heard about the meet-up with Nicodemus. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:17.479 Then John followed Jesus from there back to Galilee in the north, 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:21.060 and on the way making a stop in Samaria, where he met the woman at the well. 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:27.579 And we heard about the healing of the royal official's son back in Galilee. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:31.820 And then back to Jerusalem for another of the Jewish festivals, 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:36.020 where Jesus healed a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. 00:01:36.540 --> 00:01:38.960 A man who hadn't walked in 38 years. 00:01:39.740 --> 00:01:44.379 We listened as this brought Jesus into a clash with the religious leaders. 00:01:44.379 --> 00:01:48.599 Then we followed Jesus once again back up to Galilee. 00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:52.179 And we heard about how he fed the 5,000 out in the wilderness. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:56.959 And then we heard about the conversation with the multitudes that he had 00:01:56.959 --> 00:01:59.879 just after that feeding on the other side of the lake. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:05.159 We followed Jesus then again back down to Jerusalem for another festival. 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:09.120 And we heard a lot of Jesus' conversation with the Jews there. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:14.859 And more runnins, more tension rising with the religious leaders. 00:02:15.460 --> 00:02:17.180 Things were starting to heat up. 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:21.819 And on one occasion there, Jesus' opponents attempted to stone him. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:27.699 It was around then that we heard about Jesus healing the man who had been born blind. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:34.379 And it was out of that occasion that we heard the teaching of how Jesus is the good shepherd. 00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:39.679 And the one who protects his flock from the thieves and the wolves. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:43.479 Then comes yet another festival in Jerusalem. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:44.939 John chapter 10. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:48.759 And it's there that things really come to a boiling point. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.799 Jesus makes some of his greatest declarations ever. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.639 I give eternal life to my sheep. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:01.179 I and the Father are one, he said. 00:03:01.839 --> 00:03:05.239 I am in my Father and my Father is in me. 00:03:06.119 --> 00:03:10.479 And again, Jesus was almost stoned and captured by his opponents. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.159 But then slipped away. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:16.679 And he went from there across the Jordan and did some ministry 00:03:16.679 --> 00:03:20.179 out of reach of the religious leaders for a while. 00:03:21.119 --> 00:03:23.459 But then just before Christmas this past year, 00:03:23.459 --> 00:03:26.479 we heard about how Lazarus got sick. 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:27.739 And died. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:32.919 This is what brought Jesus back into the vicinity of Jerusalem. 00:03:33.619 --> 00:03:39.639 Bethany is a village that's just about three kilometers outside of Jerusalem. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:43.299 And it was there that Lazarus and his two sisters lived. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:47.719 And it was there that Jesus did one of the greatest miracles, 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:52.260 the greatest signs that he ever performed and raised Lazarus from the dead. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:58.880 And this resurrection of Lazarus was really the thing that triggered 00:03:58.880 --> 00:04:03.360 the whole final series of events that we're about to look at, 00:04:03.460 --> 00:04:05.660 the events that will lead to Jesus' death. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:09.379 We're going to pick it up this morning in John chapter 11. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.859 And I'm going to read starting in verse 45. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.759 John chapter 11, verse 45. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:25.240 Therefore, many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, 00:04:25.599 --> 00:04:28.620 that's the raising of Lazarus from the dead, believed in him. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:33.639 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 00:04:34.539 --> 00:04:38.699 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:41.000 What are we accomplishing? 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:41.899 They asked. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:44.659 Here is this man performing many signs. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:48.360 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:52.459 And then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:57.579 One of them named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:04:59.339 You know nothing at all. 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:05.639 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:07.939 than that the whole nation perish. 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:11.439 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year, 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:14.339 he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation. 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:18.420 And not only for that nation, but also for the scattered children of God 00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:20.819 to bring them together and make them one. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:26.099 So from that day on, they plotted to take his life. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:31.000 Therefore, Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:34.879 Instead, he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:40.540 to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:43.980 So this was the last straw in the minds of the religious leaders, 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:46.519 this resurrection of Lazarus. 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:50.060 It's there at the meeting of the Sanhedrin that they officially decided 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:51.680 to take Jesus out. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:56.240 From that day on, it says, they plotted to take his life. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:01.819 And John tells us that he no longer moved about publicly as he did before. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:05.340 He withdrew yet again to a more remote region, 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:08.480 this little village of Ephraim, kind of on the edge of the wilderness. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:12.020 But of course, if we've been reading John, 00:06:12.140 --> 00:06:15.420 we know that Jesus will be back to Jerusalem. 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:19.000 And it's probably going to be for another festival. 00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:22.200 And that's exactly what happened. 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:24.319 Let's read it in verse 55. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:28.439 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, 00:06:28.960 --> 00:06:31.939 many went up from the country to Jerusalem 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:34.800 for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:36.960 They kept looking for Jesus. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:39.319 And as they stood in the temple courts, 00:06:39.419 --> 00:06:40.159 they asked one another, 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.180 what do you think? 00:06:41.719 --> 00:06:43.479 Isn't he coming to the festival at all? 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:48.500 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:51.620 that anyone who found out where Jesus was 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:55.399 should report it so that they might arrest him. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:07:00.459 So the people are arriving from all over the nation for Passover. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:04.899 As we'll see soon from even farther away, 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.500 some of the surrounding nations, 00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:10.920 it was a huge swelling of people in Jerusalem. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.220 And as this happens, 00:07:13.540 --> 00:07:17.139 John tells us that Jesus is the talk of the times. 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:19.139 Everybody's looking for him. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:21.560 Everybody's hoping to see him. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:25.639 They're wondering if and when he's going to arrive. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:28.319 And at the same time, 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:32.120 the religious leaders have given these orders 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:35.519 that anyone who finds out where Jesus is must report it. 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:39.339 I don't know if they had wanted posters 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:41.899 like you see in some of those old westerns, 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.360 but whatever they had, 00:07:43.419 --> 00:07:45.819 it was probably like that. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:48.180 Written notices on bulletin boards or whatever 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:49.699 all throughout the city. 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:53.399 Jesus was a wanted man. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.879 And finally, 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:59.240 with the Passover festival just days from starting, 00:08:00.039 --> 00:08:02.839 the religious leaders receive a tip. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:05.839 Somebody has spotted Jesus 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:08.199 and knows where he is. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:10.099 chapter 12, 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:11.680 verse 1. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.680 Six days before the Passover, 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.360 Jesus came to Bethany, 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:18.939 where Lazarus lived, 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:21.360 whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:22.680 Here, 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:25.819 a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:28.759 We're going to look at this visit more in a second, 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:29.899 but for now, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:32.759 let's keep our eye on the larger story of Jesus 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:34.220 and what's going on here. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.679 Jesus is now, 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:38.419 first he raised Lazarus from the dead, 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:40.159 then he went out to this remote village. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:42.360 Now he's back in Bethany, 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:45.120 just three kilometers outside of Jerusalem. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.059 And as was his custom, 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:49.500 he stopped over to see Mary, 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:50.179 Martha, 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:51.539 and Lazarus. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:54.939 And one of the reasons I think John tells us this 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:56.700 is because it's this little visit 00:08:56.700 --> 00:09:00.800 when Jesus suddenly pops back up on the radar 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:02.860 of the religious leaders. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:03.520 Ah! 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.400 We know where he is. 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:07.780 Let's start the planning again. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:11.360 Look down to verse 9 of chapter 12. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:17.520 As this visit with Martha and Mary and Lazarus is happening, 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:18.560 meanwhile, 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:23.760 a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there in Bethany, 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:25.259 and they came, 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:27.740 not only because of Jesus, 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:30.220 but also to see Lazarus, 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.580 whom he had raised from the dead. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.939 It's as if they were thinking, 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.620 let's kill two birds with one stone. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:40.159 We'll make the trip out to Bethany. 00:09:40.319 --> 00:09:41.600 We'll see Jesus, 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.139 the talk of the town, 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:45.480 and then we'll see Lazarus as well. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:48.139 Some of us had been to the funeral. 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:51.539 Others knew someone who went to the funeral. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:52.679 Yeah, he was dead. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:56.339 Let's go out there and see this walking miracle, 00:09:56.519 --> 00:10:01.159 this man who Jesus raised for ourselves. 00:10:02.939 --> 00:10:04.719 And notice the number of people, 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.500 a large crowd. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:09.519 We don't know exactly how many, 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:11.200 probably more than 10 or 15. 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:16.460 I was thinking about when we see a large crowd go anywhere in our day today. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.200 The only thing that came to mind was a rider game. 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:22.320 Everybody jumps in their cars from all over, 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.620 and this large crowd is there suddenly at the game. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:27.659 Well, 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:32.519 whether it was that many people or just a few thousands or just several hundred, 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:33.639 we don't know. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:40.480 But even as they're making their way into Jerusalem from all over the world and all around, 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:45.939 there's this large group of people that's making their way out on the road to Bethany 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:49.120 to see Jesus and to see Lazarus. 00:10:50.579 --> 00:10:51.460 Verse 10, 00:10:51.460 --> 00:11:00.040 So the chief priests catching word of this made plans to kill Lazarus as well. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.320 Why? 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.920 Verse 11, 00:11:06.540 --> 00:11:09.040 For on account of Lazarus, 00:11:09.400 --> 00:11:14.200 many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. 00:11:16.280 --> 00:11:18.759 So this is quite the atmosphere here. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.720 On the one hand, 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:26.159 the city's probably full of notices on bulletin boards or however they did it, 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:26.439 saying, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:26.960 Jesus, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:29.059 wanted by the chief priests, 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:32.179 if anybody gets word of where he is, 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:35.480 notify your local religious authorities immediately. 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:38.159 And yet in the very midst of this, 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.340 from this very same city, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:43.080 there are all these people traveling out on the road to see Jesus, 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.439 the wanted man. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:51.480 And many of them are coming to believe in Jesus because of Lazarus and his testimony. 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:56.600 So what are the Pharisees and the religious leaders thinking? 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:02.280 Not only are we going to kill Jesus, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:04.900 but we're going to kill Lazarus too. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:11.379 We can't have people believing that Jesus really did raise Lazarus from the dead. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.220 So we'll kill him. 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:18.120 All of these claims of resurrection and him raised from the dead will just go away. 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.159 Isn't that something? 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:22.759 I mean, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.899 these are the religious, 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:26.919 the religious leaders of Israel. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.340 Chief priests, 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:36.120 experts in the law of God. 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:38.019 And what are they doing together? 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:41.980 They're plotting the murder of Lazarus, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.379 an innocent man. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:46.840 Has it got this bad in Israel? 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.059 That her shepherds, 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:52.840 the men who hold the highest positions, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:55.480 the men who are supposed to be the spiritual guides, 00:12:56.220 --> 00:13:02.919 the priests are plotting the murder of an innocent man simply to discredit their opponent in a power struggle. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.820 It has got this bad. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:10.279 And this is why we need the good shepherd. 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:15.519 Jesus was right when he spoke about them earlier in chapter 10, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.259 the thieves. 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.740 What do they come to do? 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.959 To kill, 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.000 to steal, 00:13:23.319 --> 00:13:24.039 to destroy. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.939 That's exactly what they're doing. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:30.759 This is why we need the good shepherd, 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.179 Jesus, 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:36.399 and not these hypocritical religious imposters. 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:39.939 So things are coming to their climax, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.180 very quickly, 00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:44.440 between Jesus and the religious leaders. 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:46.240 And in less than two weeks' time, 00:13:46.300 --> 00:13:48.060 from this point in the story, 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:50.820 Jesus will be hanging on a cross, 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:51.760 dying. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.180 And yet, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.620 as quickly as things are moving, 00:13:57.140 --> 00:13:59.060 John seems to be calling us, 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.600 and inviting us, 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:02.160 to slow down, 00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:06.060 and learn about some of the most precious moments 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.459 that happened, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.519 that he witnessed, 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:09.799 between here, 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.579 and the cross. 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:15.359 And one of those things is this dinner, 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.459 in chapter 12, 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:18.939 with Mary, 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.079 and Martha, 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:20.939 and Lazarus. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.259 And so, 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:22.619 even though we all want to go forward, 00:14:22.699 --> 00:14:24.639 and hear the rest of the story, 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.719 we want to listen. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.579 We want to slow down with John, 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.620 and notice, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:31.080 why does he put this dinner in here? 00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:33.639 What's going on here? 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.600 Let's read it in John chapter 12. 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.700 Six days before the Passover, 00:14:38.900 --> 00:14:40.000 Jesus came to Bethany, 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.540 where Lazarus lived, 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.620 whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 00:14:44.400 --> 00:14:46.440 Here a dinner was given Jesus' honor. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.360 Martha served, 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:50.700 while Lazarus was among those 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.580 reclining at the table with him. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:55.060 Then Mary, 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:58.460 took a pint of pure nard, 00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:00.720 an expensive perfume. 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:04.139 She poured it on Jesus' feet, 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.759 and wiped his feet, 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:08.540 with her hair. 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:11.240 And the house was filled, 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.080 with the fragrance, 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:14.700 of the perfume. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.900 Now some of you might be wondering, 00:15:18.140 --> 00:15:19.320 about how this relates, 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:21.000 to those similar mentions, 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.799 of a woman doing something like this, 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.899 in the other gospels. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.899 It's been discussed, 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.940 and debated by many. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.600 There are many similarities, 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.639 and there are also, 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.980 some significant differences. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.259 And I don't really want to, 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.840 get into all that this morning. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.580 That's kind of what, 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.480 Bible commentaries are for. 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.399 But I will suggest to you, 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:40.039 one possible way of understanding, 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.580 the various accounts. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.440 This is probably a different event, 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.500 than what Luke describes, 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.379 in his gospel. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.080 In Luke's gospel, 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.539 he seems to describe a dinner, 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:51.319 that Jesus had at the house, 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.480 of one of the Pharisees. 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:53.980 And this probably, 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:54.899 in his account, 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.959 took place, 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:57.399 earlier in his ministry, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.959 where an immoral woman, 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.219 comes in, 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.799 cries over Jesus' feet, 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.620 wipes them with her hair, 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.259 and then, 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.719 puts some perfume on them. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.539 Matthew and Mark's accounts, 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.379 on the other hand, 00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:10.839 they seem to match up, 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.559 quite closely, 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.459 to what John tells us here. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.980 In both of them, 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:16.039 Matthew and Mark's, 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.639 an unnamed woman, 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.799 at a dinner, 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.099 in Bethany, 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.439 anoints some part of Jesus, 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.639 with very expensive perfume. 00:16:25.599 --> 00:16:26.480 And the conversation, 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.500 that follows after, 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.539 Matthew and Mark says, 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.959 is pretty much the same, 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.319 as what we read here, 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.740 in John. 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.199 In fact, 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:35.959 Mark's account says, 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.559 that the perfume, 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.259 was also a pure nard, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.639 had the same value, 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:41.659 as Judas is about to tell us, 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.459 in this gospel. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:44.340 So, 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:45.680 either this happened twice, 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:46.759 with two different women, 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:49.000 or I think more likely, 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:50.639 all three accounts, 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.160 Matthew, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:51.820 Mark, 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.019 and John, 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.940 refer to the same event. 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.160 And maybe Matthew and Mark, 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.300 simply put their tellings, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.139 in a different spot, 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.480 in their accounts. 00:17:01.400 --> 00:17:02.180 We do this, 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.000 when we tell stories, 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.140 sometimes we have to backtrack, 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.600 and then, 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.120 you know, 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.039 fill in the details. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.720 And we certainly, 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.319 want to give them, 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.340 the freedom to do that, 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:09.799 as well. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:12.860 That, 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.860 and it's easy to see, 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.360 how there could be, 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:15.940 different things, 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.059 that each of these men, 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.779 noticed, 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.660 as they wrote their, 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.700 accounts of Jesus. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.079 Different things, 00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:21.980 they wanted to emphasize. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.220 Matthew and Mark, 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:26.140 they're all about, 00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:27.160 proclaiming, 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:27.799 how, 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.720 Jesus is the king, 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:30.740 the Messiah, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.700 the one that we've, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.440 been waiting for. 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.380 And so, 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.620 they notice, 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.759 they emphasize, 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.640 Mary pouring, 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.299 on his head, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.200 as if, 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.200 anointing a king. 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:42.900 But, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.240 but if we look closely, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.059 at what Jesus says, 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.539 in Mark, 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.279 there was, 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.059 perfume on his body. 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.880 You've had done this, 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.000 to my body. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.720 Even the feet. 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:53.779 Perhaps, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.799 John only mentions, 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.319 the feet, 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.640 because that was the part, 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.279 that he saw, 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.559 that just blew him away. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.519 Like, 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:01.759 what a humbling thing, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:04.500 to wipe Jesus' feet, 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:06.600 with her hair. 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.360 To take one of the most, 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:11.039 beautiful parts of herself, 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.240 her hair, 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.620 and stoop down, 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.079 and use it like a cloth, 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.460 on Jesus' feet. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.319 Let's notice, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.700 the perfume, 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.880 for a moment. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.000 John makes it clear, 00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:27.000 that this was no, 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.100 cheap stuff. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.799 It was, 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.559 expensive stuff. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.140 Judas actually helps us, 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.140 see the value of it, 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.920 in verse five. 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.340 He says, 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.220 why wasn't this perfume sold, 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.880 and the money given, 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.539 to the poor? 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:42.440 It was worth, 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.019 a year's wages, 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.720 300 denarii. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.980 Denarii is a year's, 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.119 a day's wage, 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.720 300, 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.700 you take the Sabbaths, 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.099 out of that, 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.359 and you get 300 working days, 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.720 in a year. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.839 A year's, 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.079 salary, 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.539 was the, 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:58.259 worth of this perfume, 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.279 made of pure nard, 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.359 which comes from the root, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.399 and spike, 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.480 of the nard plant, 00:19:03.580 --> 00:19:04.240 in India. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:04.620 So, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:06.060 this is exotic stuff. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.320 I don't know, 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:10.660 if we can directly compare it, 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.820 but for the sake, 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:13.000 of understanding, 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.680 let's just take, 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:15.000 an average, 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.920 annual salary, 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.560 in Canada, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.920 let's just say, 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.060 45,000 bucks. 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.480 I don't know, 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:20.060 what it is. 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:22.200 Can you imagine that? 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.120 A bottle of perfume, 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:24.620 worth 45,000 bucks? 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.820 This was no, 00:19:28.040 --> 00:19:28.560 cheap stuff. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:28.860 However, 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:29.620 that translates, 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.460 into their day, 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.140 their culture, 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.120 their place in the world. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.240 We don't know, 00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:34.640 how Mary came to own it, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.740 but probably, 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.900 it was her most, 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:40.160 valuable possession. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.400 It could have been, 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.740 that it was a family heirloom, 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.980 that had been passed down, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:47.020 likely the most valuable thing, 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:47.820 that she owned. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.060 And perhaps, 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.080 that's also why, 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.259 John's attention, 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.740 was so drawn, 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:55.220 to Jesus' feet. 00:19:57.300 --> 00:19:58.640 Perfume does not normally, 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.820 go down there. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.860 Especially, 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.520 not this kind of perfume. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.060 And yet for Mary, 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.120 yes, 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.380 even Jesus' 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.280 dusty, 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.860 and calloused feet, 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.200 are worthy, 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:15.020 of the very best stuff, 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.380 that I've got to give. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:19.600 This is the kind of perfume, 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.320 that ordinarily, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.200 you would just use, 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.740 a drop or two, 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.880 at a time. 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:26.220 How valuable it was. 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:27.680 And yet, 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.660 by the other accounts, 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.700 Mary empties the whole bottle, 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.640 on Jesus. 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:34.140 And even some, 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.560 on his feet. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.460 John notices. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:41.960 This is extravagant love. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.920 Extravagant worship. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:47.560 This is Mary, 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:49.180 declaring to Jesus, 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:50.320 and to everybody else, 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.279 who's there in the room, 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.060 to witness it, 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.060 or would hear of it. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:53.920 Jesus, 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:56.060 you are worthy, 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:58.120 of everything I've got. 00:20:59.080 --> 00:21:00.480 Of the very best, 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.259 that I have. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.820 Even the lowest, 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:04.700 part of you, 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.779 your feet, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.820 are worthy of it. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.640 Worthy of, 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.600 being wiped, 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.360 by the very, 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.680 best I've got. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.000 My hair. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.759 And even as, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:22.160 she is doing this, 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.560 Judas, 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.779 is there, 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.180 poo-pooing, 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.140 what she's doing. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.600 But one of his disciples, 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.680 Judas Iscariot, 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.200 who was later, 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.920 to betray him, 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.620 objected. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.700 Right there, 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.799 while she's doing this. 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.900 Why wasn't this perfume, 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.279 sold, 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:40.920 and the money given, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.480 to the poor? 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.019 It was worth, 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.880 a year's wages. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.180 Of course, 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.860 John tells us, 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.759 he didn't say this, 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.660 because he actually, 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.559 cared about the poor, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.420 but because he was, 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.599 the treasurer of the group, 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.880 and he used to help himself, 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.339 to the money, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.400 that was in the bag. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.860 The other gospels, 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.279 tell us, 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.160 the disciples say, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.900 similar things, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.819 not just Judas, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.160 but some of the others as well, 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.140 amongst themselves, 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.599 and even to her. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.680 Like, 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.620 what a waste, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.319 they said. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:18.599 Jesus comes to Mary's defense. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.599 Leave her alone, 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.120 Jesus replied. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.819 It was intended, 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.620 that she should save this perfume, 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.660 for the day of my burial. 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.339 In Matthew and Mark, 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:30.640 it's, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.759 leave her alone, 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:33.920 she has done a beautiful thing to me. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:38.140 Different translations, 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:40.080 render this verse seven differently. 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.120 There's some grammatical, 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.660 ambiguity here, 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.960 more than one possible way, 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.539 to translate this. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.080 Some see Jesus here, 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.740 telling Mary, 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.039 to save what's left, 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.759 of the perfume, 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.039 for the burial. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.519 And yet to me, 00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.660 it seems that Mary's already, 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.940 used up the perfume, 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:56.779 on Jesus. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.620 I'm inclined to follow, 00:22:58.820 --> 00:23:00.039 the New King James version, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.660 on this one, 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.539 which says, 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.200 let her alone, 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.700 she has kept this, 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:05.519 for the day of my burial. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.380 In other words, 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.680 she's been saving this, 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:11.519 for some time now. 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.740 She's been intending, 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.400 to give this special gift to me, 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.580 for a while, 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.360 to do this for me. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.460 It leads us to the question, 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.360 does Mary know, 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.420 that Jesus' death, 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.480 is right around the corner? 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:28.660 that this will be, 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.640 his last visit, 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.559 to Jerusalem, 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.240 before he's killed? 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.140 Well, 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.960 it's certainly possible, 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.660 that she knew, 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.579 Jesus had already told, 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.200 his disciples, 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.559 several times, 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.160 at least three, 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.940 that we know of, 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.819 if not more, 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.900 that he was going, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.420 to suffer, 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.319 and die. 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.259 It's possible, 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.660 that Mary learned, 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.700 from her last visit, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.240 with Jesus, 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.900 and her brother, 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.880 being raised from the dead, 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.440 to take, 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.460 every word, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.400 that Jesus says, 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.040 is true. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.820 It's possible, 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.440 that even though, 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.660 the disciples seem deaf, 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.240 to Jesus, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.420 when he was telling him, 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.500 that he would die, 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.620 he would suffer, 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.640 that Mary was there, 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.160 all along, 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.620 hearing, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.600 and believing, 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.220 and knowing, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.420 that this was coming, 00:24:09.540 --> 00:24:10.900 and seeing it come to a head. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.300 We don't know. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.019 Either that, 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:14.720 or she just wants, 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.840 to do something special, 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.300 for her Lord, 00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:19.860 to show her love, 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.980 and maybe unbeknownst to her, 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.440 this fits in the plan of God. 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.700 It's like the preparation, 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.460 for his burial, 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.220 that's coming. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.300 Jesus says, 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.960 in verse 8, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.580 you will always, 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.900 have the poor among you, 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.680 but you will not, 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.759 always have me. 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.600 Jesus is in no way, 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.620 diminishing the plight, 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.180 of the poor, 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.940 or saying that we should, 00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:47.600 ignore them. 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.080 Rather, 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.019 he's pointing out, 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.220 that the poor, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.400 will still be here, 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.120 among you, 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:54.099 to receive, 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.859 whatever help, 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.339 you give them, 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.199 after I'm gone, 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.099 but you will not, 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.159 always have me, 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.019 here with you, 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.439 like I am, 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.439 right now. 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.019 It's as if he's saying, 00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:06.059 our days together, 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:06.859 like this, 00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.899 are coming to an end. 00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:11.399 The window of opportunity, 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.219 to be with me, 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.719 like this, 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.459 is closing, 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.479 and Mary, 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:17.639 has not missed out, 00:25:17.719 --> 00:25:18.899 on her chance, 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.659 to give her love, 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.860 and worship, 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:22.340 and worship to me. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.700 There is a time, 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.300 to celebrate. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.340 There is a time, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.980 to feast, 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.759 and yes, 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:32.360 there is even a time, 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.360 to give extravagant gifts, 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:36.220 and Mary, 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.180 has understood, 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.100 that this, 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.240 is that time. 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.480 This is her moment, 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.140 to do it. 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.300 This is her chance, 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:47.299 and this is the second time, 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.619 Jesus has commended her, 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.619 for understanding, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.279 what's best, 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:50.839 in the moment, 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.339 isn't it? 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.680 Let's put this, 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.299 in perspective. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.099 After Jesus leaves, 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.200 the next time, 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.039 he will be seen, 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.579 as is when he returns, 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.519 in his father's glory, 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.399 to rule, 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.079 and reign, 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.859 forevermore. 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:10.699 I kept thinking, 00:26:10.699 --> 00:26:11.459 about the words, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.819 in Mark chapter 8, 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:13.639 verse 38. 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.199 Jesus said, 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.179 if anyone is ashamed, 00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:18.719 of me, 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.339 and my words, 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:21.359 in this adulterous, 00:26:21.479 --> 00:26:22.539 and sinful generation, 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.339 the son of man, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.039 will be ashamed, 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.639 of them, 00:26:25.719 --> 00:26:26.279 or of him, 00:26:26.479 --> 00:26:27.459 when he comes, 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.899 in his father's glory, 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.539 with the holy angels. 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.919 This was partly, 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.419 a rebuke, 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.439 that was given to Peter, 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.819 for being ashamed, 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.699 of Jesus talking, 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.719 about how he was going, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.180 to suffer, 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.980 and be rejected, 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.259 and die, 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.660 which was coming. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.279 But what we see here, 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.900 from Mary, 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.100 in this moment, 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.440 at this dinner, 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.259 is the exact opposite. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.579 She is not ashamed, 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.240 of Jesus. 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:53.940 In fact, 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.620 she is the only one, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.319 in the room, 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.900 it seems, 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.839 who is treating Jesus, 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.799 as he really deserves, 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.539 as the king, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.660 who will one day, 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:05.180 bust through the clouds, 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.380 in glory. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:06.460 glory. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.340 She treats him, 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.300 as he is worthy, 00:27:09.300 --> 00:27:10.580 of being treated. 00:27:11.340 --> 00:27:12.560 She understands, 00:27:12.760 --> 00:27:13.500 here and now, 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.820 before he comes, 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.340 in glory, 00:27:15.520 --> 00:27:17.300 that he is that one, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:17.920 who someday, 00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:18.600 will come, 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.580 in glory. 00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:22.160 And that now, 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.500 and forever, 00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:25.420 he is deserving, 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.140 of not just a little love, 00:27:28.020 --> 00:27:28.940 not just a little, 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:32.100 of what we could possibly give, 00:27:32.760 --> 00:27:33.500 little worship, 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:35.279 not just a little token, 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.960 of our faith, 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.140 but the highest, 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.180 and the greatest, 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.059 and the best, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.559 of all that we have. 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.799 Borrowing the words, 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.680 of my dear friend, 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:45.200 and brother in the Lord, 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.980 Ross Adnacon, 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:48.799 there are many Christians, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.619 out there today, 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.759 who are all too content, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.460 to give Jesus, 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.279 bare minimum love, 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.960 bare minimum worship, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.039 bare minimum, 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.119 church attendance, 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:03.200 bare minimum service, 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.379 bare minimum obedience, 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.779 bare minimum time, 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:07.019 spent in prayer, 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.599 and in the word. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.299 Are you one of them? 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:17.099 When Jesus comes, 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.279 in his father's glory, 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:21.299 Mary will not be ashamed, 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.079 of this moment. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:23.940 No, 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.539 we, 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.619 will be ashamed, 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.579 and regret, 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.879 that we did not, 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.439 give him the very best, 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.439 when we had, 00:28:32.699 --> 00:28:33.220 the chance. 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.659 So let me ask you, 00:28:37.199 --> 00:28:39.179 how are you going, 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.079 to live for Jesus, 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:42.119 in this new year? 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.619 How are you going, 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:47.059 to live for the son of man, 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.339 who will someday come, 00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:50.379 in his father's glory, 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.439 with his holy angels? 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.519 How are you going, 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.139 to live for him, 00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:56.019 this new year? 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.240 I pray, 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.819 that all of us, 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.619 will take a lesson, 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.699 from Mary. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.819 Jesus, 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.939 is worthy, 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.859 beyond measure. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.519 Let's pray. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.240 Father in heaven, 00:29:17.899 --> 00:29:19.259 let this moment, 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.379 soak into our hearts, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.679 and change us. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:25.400 give us eyes, 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.460 to see your son, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.460 as he truly is, 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.880 the king of glory. 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.560 Reorient, 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.600 our priorities, 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.779 our decisions, 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.680 to reflect, 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.480 that day, 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.160 that's coming, 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.060 when he returns. 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.380 Show us, 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.039 how to live, 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.519 and give, 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:46.960 what we have, 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.539 for his honor, 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.539 and his glory. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:52.399 we ask this, 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.000 in his name. 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.619 Amen.