WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.799 an 18th century Scottish poet was plowing his field one day to try to make a garden. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:12.400 And as he was doing that, he noticed a whole bunch of mice scurrying beneath his feet 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:15.780 and then realized that he had unwittingly dug up a mice nest. 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:23.660 And reflecting on that experience and how he had unintentionally ruined the lives of these comfortable mice 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:28.820 who had this nice home, he penned this famous line of his poem, which is entitled, 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:30.800 To a Mouse, the line reads, 00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:35.799 The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:41.399 And John Steinbeck, of course, borrowed from that line for the title of his novel, 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:44.640 Of Mice and Men, which talks about George and Lenny, 00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:49.299 whose simple dream of having a farm to themselves and petting soft animals 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:52.780 is dashed to pieces by a series of unforeseen events. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:54.900 And that's true, isn't it? 00:00:54.900 --> 00:00:57.880 The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. 00:00:58.820 --> 00:01:00.240 Our best laid plans. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:03.679 Sometimes it's our own doing. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.400 Sometimes it just comes at us seemingly out of nowhere. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:13.400 But for the Christian who trusts in the sovereignty of God, this is only half of the story. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:15.900 Because as Proverbs 16, 9 says, 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:20.640 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:24.140 So our plans are contingent, variable, and uncertain. 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.299 But God's plan is unchanging and eternal and sovereign. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:33.340 In this passage, we see people making schemes, plans. 00:01:33.460 --> 00:01:34.540 They plot against Jesus. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:38.260 And there's also people who are planning things for him in a positive way, 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:40.700 preparing the way for him, trying to help him. 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:46.000 But there's one plan that prevails in and through them all in this passage, 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:52.500 and that's God's sovereign plan to save his children through the substitutionary death of Jesus. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:54.200 That's the main point of this passage. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:01:58.579 So first, we're going to talk about the Jewish leaders' paradoxical plot. 00:01:59.100 --> 00:02:02.640 And then we'll talk about Mary's paradoxical preparation. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:08.259 And then finally, we'll talk about God's sovereign plan, which prevails in and through them all. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:12.680 So this narrative follows on the heels of Jesus' raising of Lazarus from the dead. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:16.000 And it says in verse 45 and verse 46, 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:22.280 Many of the Jews, therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:27.500 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:31.979 So there's a deliberate contrast here set up between the many Jews who believed in him 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:35.099 and the Jews who reported Jesus to the Pharisees. 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:40.639 So that contrast seems to indicate that there was some malicious intent behind these Jews who went to the Pharisees. 00:02:41.019 --> 00:02:47.000 And perhaps they had seen that embarrassing conversation that the Jewish leaders of the synagogue had with the blind men, 00:02:47.399 --> 00:02:49.359 the man who was born blind that Jesus healed. 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:51.339 And they had this embarrassing conversation with him. 00:02:51.339 --> 00:02:53.919 And they got so angry with him, they expelled him from the synagogue. 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:56.000 So maybe these people had seen that encounter. 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:57.679 And so now they were fearful. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:00.799 They wanted to make sure they're on the Jewish leader's good side. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:06.040 So maybe that's the reason they go to him to report this miracle that had happened 00:03:06.040 --> 00:03:07.320 because they feel like they should know. 00:03:08.640 --> 00:03:11.280 And then this is how the report was received. 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:13.160 Verses 47 and 48. 00:03:13.920 --> 00:03:17.340 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:36.719 So the chief priests were priests that belonged to the family of the high priest. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:38.580 There was one high priest over all the priests. 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:43.100 And they were influential members of the Sanhedrin, 00:03:43.200 --> 00:03:47.340 which is the highest ruling body of the Jews at the time under Roman rule. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:51.100 And so the Pharisees were an influential faction within that group. 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:52.800 And they're the ones that hear this report. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:55.560 And if you just think about this for a second, 00:03:55.660 --> 00:03:59.180 of this report taking place and this Jewish leader's discussing this, 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:01.060 it's kind of an incredible discussion 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:05.699 because they're not inquiring about who this man truly might be 00:04:05.699 --> 00:04:08.080 because he just raised a dead man to life. 00:04:08.640 --> 00:04:09.120 Think about that. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:10.599 It's not just a story you read. 00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:11.180 This happened. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:13.259 He just raised a dead man to life. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.379 And they're not talking, 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:15.800 Okay, so who is this guy? 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:16.680 They're asking, 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:19.160 Well, people are going to believe in him. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:21.579 And what's the problem with that? 00:04:21.660 --> 00:04:23.360 So for this man performs many signs. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:24.139 Well, that's wonderful. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:24.800 Is it not? 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:26.420 If we let him go on like this, 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:27.660 everyone will believe in him. 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:28.980 Well, that's great news too. 00:04:29.080 --> 00:04:31.200 If he's such a man that you can perform this miracle. 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:32.820 And then finally, he says, 00:04:33.020 --> 00:04:37.680 And the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:42.120 Ah, that's what the fuss is all about. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:44.600 That's where the rubber meets the road. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.520 The Jewish leaders were not concerned about identifying Jesus. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:52.180 They were concerned to preserve the status quo, 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:54.879 to protect their own rule, 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:55.920 their own power, 00:04:56.080 --> 00:04:57.200 their own prestige. 00:04:58.260 --> 00:05:00.600 Because even though they were ruled by the Roman Empire, 00:05:00.700 --> 00:05:03.560 as the leaders who were charged with leading the Jewish people, 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:04.860 they still had a lot of privileges. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:07.939 And they did not want to forfeit that. 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:09.640 And so that's the concern, 00:05:09.760 --> 00:05:11.780 is that now that Jesus has such a following, 00:05:11.880 --> 00:05:13.780 and he has done such a spectacular miracle, 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:14.920 one after another, 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:18.360 the messianic expectation is at a fever pitch. 00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:21.120 Then they're worried that there's going to be a revolution. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.440 They're worried that everyone will go after Jesus, 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:26.399 and then the Romans will have to put their foot down 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:28.079 to stomp out the revolution. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.199 And in doing so, 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:31.740 the people who are in charge will lose control. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:32.959 That's what they fear. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.799 And so they would, 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:37.639 and not just Jesus, right? 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:38.839 They want to kill Lazarus. 00:05:39.799 --> 00:05:41.959 The man that was raised from the dead, 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.039 they want to kill him again. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:48.960 They would seek to undo God's miracle 00:05:48.960 --> 00:05:51.819 in order to snuff out faith in Jesus. 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:55.760 And it's easy to judge them, 00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:56.920 but this selfishness, 00:05:57.580 --> 00:06:00.320 the instinct for self-preservation is real. 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:02.000 It's alive in us as well, isn't it? 00:06:04.820 --> 00:06:08.500 Because we like to compartmentalize our lives. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.579 This part's for you, God. 00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:13.480 It's all for you. 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:16.699 But this, this is my, yeah. 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:19.160 This is my life. 00:06:19.579 --> 00:06:20.459 This is my time. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.019 This is my money. 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:27.779 And as soon as God seeks and demands your allegiance, 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:29.360 even in all of those areas, 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:32.879 we protest because we want to preserve the status quo. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.500 We want to protect our prestige. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.639 We want to preserve our plans. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:43.500 But Jesus is not a king who shares his throne. 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:45.839 Jesus is not a king who shares his rule 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.160 over our lives and our hearts. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:48.579 He demands everything. 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:50.120 He teaches in Matthew 16, 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.399 if anyone would come after me, 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:54.060 let him deny himself 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:56.259 and take up his cross and follow me. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:59.139 For whoever would save his life will lose it. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:01.540 But whoever loses his life for my sake 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:04.519 and the gospels will save it. 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:09.579 If we seek to preserve our privileges, 00:07:09.799 --> 00:07:11.339 our plans, and our power, 00:07:11.539 --> 00:07:14.299 we will experience none of God's privileges, 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:17.039 God's plan, God's power. 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:20.620 So I warn you, if you're not a believer 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:21.859 and you're here with us this morning, 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.680 it's costly to follow Jesus. 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:25.279 He demands your everything. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:28.699 But you'll get far more in return 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:30.179 because you'll have God. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:35.279 And so, in opposing Jesus, 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:36.679 these Jewish leaders, 00:07:36.779 --> 00:07:38.819 in trying to preserve their own status quo, 00:07:39.239 --> 00:07:41.179 they find themselves on the wrong side of history. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:46.439 What plans, powers, and privileges 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.439 are we clinging to 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.459 that Jesus is demanding of us? 00:07:51.280 --> 00:07:52.280 And at this time, 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:53.480 as the Jewish leaders are debating 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:56.620 how best to respond to the Jesus phenomenon, 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.040 one member, 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:01.620 the most influential and prominent member 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.199 of the Sanhedrin, 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:02.980 the high priest, 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:03.960 Caiaphas, 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:04.860 speaks. 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:07.120 Verses 49 and 50. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.639 You know nothing at all, 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:11.319 nor do you understand 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:12.620 that it is better for you 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:14.800 that one man should die for the people, 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:17.079 not that the whole nation should perish. 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:19.259 So this is a classic instance 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:20.639 of John's use of double meaning. 00:08:20.840 --> 00:08:22.680 We've seen that throughout the Gospel of John 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:25.439 because Caiaphas' suggestion is, 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:27.879 it might at the first glance seem pious, 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:30.220 but actually it's very calculating and pragmatic. 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:31.680 What it's saying, 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:32.940 to use the vernacular, 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:33.759 is basically this. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.779 You amateurs, 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:37.480 you have no idea what you're talking about. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:39.039 It's far better for you, 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.860 the ruling party, 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:42.299 if one man dies as a scapegoat 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.279 for the whole nation. 00:08:43.699 --> 00:08:44.579 That's what he's saying. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.699 So frame Jesus 00:08:46.699 --> 00:08:48.299 as the agitator of the people. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.980 Blame him as the seditious revolutionary 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.439 who was stirring up the pot. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.740 And if you blame him 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:56.919 and then let the Romans deal with him, 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.379 then you'll simultaneously 00:08:58.379 --> 00:08:59.839 subdue the masses 00:08:59.839 --> 00:09:01.639 and appease the Romans. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:06.120 It's a stroke of political genius. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.779 He's surely experienced. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:11.679 But Caiaphas, 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:13.319 like so many other people 00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:14.100 in the Gospel of John, 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.500 speaks better than he knows. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.019 Because he says, 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.360 it is better for you 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:23.080 that one man should die for the people. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:25.519 And the word for in Greek 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:27.220 is a very specific preposition 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.700 that implies substitution. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:31.059 It has sacrificial overtones. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.580 So the fact that this one man 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:35.100 should die for the people, 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:35.659 of course, 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:37.259 while Caiaphas doesn't know 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.199 that this is going to happen, 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.819 Jesus is going to die 00:09:39.819 --> 00:09:41.139 as the Lamb of God 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:42.759 who takes away the sin of the world. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:45.039 And John comments on this. 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:45.419 He knows. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:45.720 He says, 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.179 verse 51 and 52, 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.720 he did not say this 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:49.840 of his own accord, 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.699 but being high priest that year, 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:52.779 he prophesied 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:54.620 that Jesus would die for the nation. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.419 And not for the nation only, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:58.059 but also to gather into one 00:09:58.059 --> 00:09:59.240 the children of God 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.819 who are scattered abroad. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.819 So John notes the irony 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:04.179 of Caiaphas' declaration. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.179 He says one thing, 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.100 but in saying that, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.379 he's also prophesying. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:09.360 Unwittingly becomes 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:10.500 a mouthpiece of God 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.519 declaring that Jesus 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.039 will be the sacrificial lamb 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:13.939 who saves us 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:14.620 and redeems us 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.199 from our sin. 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:17.980 And when he says 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:18.539 that God will, 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:20.319 he will gather into one 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.059 the children of God 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:21.860 who are scattered abroad, 00:10:21.939 --> 00:10:22.539 this is a reference 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:23.539 to chapter 10, 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.100 which we saw 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:24.939 a couple weeks ago, 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.919 where Jesus says, 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:26.980 I am the good shepherd. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.180 I know my own 00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:29.259 and my own know me, 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:30.820 just as the Father knows me 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.639 and I know the Father 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:32.840 and I lay down my life 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.420 for the sheep. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:34.680 And then he says this, 00:10:35.060 --> 00:10:36.200 and I have other sheep 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:38.440 that are not of this fold. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:39.860 I must bring them also 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.940 and they will listen 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:41.620 to my voice 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:42.500 so there will be 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.379 one flock, 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.700 one shepherd. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:46.320 Because Jesus' mission 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.659 is not just to save 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:48.620 the Jewish nation. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:50.159 It's to save people, 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:50.920 his children 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:52.100 from every nation. 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:53.480 And so he says here, 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:54.379 like he's going to gather 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.360 into one flock 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.379 by dying as the Lamb 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.179 of God who takes 00:10:58.179 --> 00:10:59.539 with the sin of the world. 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:01.539 And so the priests, 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.460 the Jewish leaders, 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:04.139 were concerned 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.360 with preserving their place, 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:05.899 the temple, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.039 and their nation, 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:07.960 the people, right? 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.720 And then Caiaphas 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.059 unwittingly prophesied 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.120 that it's better 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.860 for the people 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.580 and for the nation 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:14.559 for Jesus to die. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.600 And that those two words, 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.539 people and nation, 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:18.580 later the church, 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.940 adopts those languages 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:21.179 to refer to themselves 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.019 because that's what 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.679 Jesus does. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.019 He brings about the church. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:26.439 which is a chosen race, 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:27.579 a royal priesthood, 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:29.039 a holy nation, 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:31.120 a people for his own possession, 00:11:31.199 --> 00:11:32.980 it says in 1 Peter 2, 9. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:33.779 That's who we are. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.460 People all over the world 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.579 will divide over race. 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:38.100 They will divide over nationality. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.679 They will divide over ethnicity. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.659 But Christ's substitutionary debt 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:43.079 brings about a new race, 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:44.259 a new nation, 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.279 a new people, 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.120 and that's his people. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.879 That's the church, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:49.019 united from every nation 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.519 under God. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:56.559 And he calls them 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:57.319 children of God, 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.620 knowing that God 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.659 has already chosen them 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:00.259 and given them 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.179 to his son Jesus. 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:03.179 So, 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:05.259 it says in verse 53, 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:07.259 from that day on, 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.299 they made plans 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:09.360 to put him to death. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:11.919 The high priest's advice 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.600 is accepted, 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:13.980 and from that day on, 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:14.600 they resolved 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:15.799 to put Jesus to death. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:16.759 So, 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.860 you can see already here 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.460 that the verdict 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:20.340 has been given 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.079 before the trial. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.300 they're not going 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:22.759 to arrest him 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.520 to try him. 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.620 They're going to arrest him 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.400 to kill him. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.020 And so, 00:12:28.160 --> 00:12:28.879 in verse 54, 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:29.280 it says, 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.680 Jesus no longer walked 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.800 openly among the Jews, 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.120 but went from there 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.660 to the region 00:12:33.660 --> 00:12:34.420 near the wilderness 00:12:34.420 --> 00:12:35.700 to a town called Ephraim. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.500 And there he stayed 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.420 with the disciples. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:39.879 So, 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.540 the arrest warrants out, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.920 as we see in verse 57. 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.879 And that's the Jewish leader's 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.180 paradoxical plot. 00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:48.700 And now, 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:49.820 let's turn to Mary's 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.920 paradoxical preparation, 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.460 starting in chapter 12, 00:12:52.520 --> 00:12:52.960 verse 1. 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:53.580 It says, 00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:55.220 Six days before the Passover, 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:57.139 Jesus therefore came to Bethany 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.860 where Lazarus was, 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.480 whom Jesus had raised 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.000 from the dead. 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:01.900 So, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:02.540 they gave a dinner 00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:03.200 for him there. 00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:04.280 Martha served, 00:13:04.660 --> 00:13:05.620 and Lazarus was one 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.840 of those reclining 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:07.620 with him at table. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.660 Mary therefore took 00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:11.040 a pound of expensive ointment 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:12.300 made from pure nard 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.900 and anointed the feet 00:13:13.900 --> 00:13:14.560 of Jesus 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.800 and wiped his feet 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.980 with her hair. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:19.259 The house was filled 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.480 with the fragrance. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:21.860 Of the perfume. 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:24.220 Jesus has now 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.139 returned to Bethany. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.860 Bethany was where 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:26.840 Jesus raised Lazarus 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.340 from the dead. 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.820 And then now he returns there 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.220 and the family 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:30.020 hosts a dinner 00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:30.780 in his honor 00:13:30.780 --> 00:13:31.720 to thank him 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.440 and to honor him. 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.720 And as the dinner 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.780 is happening, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.680 Mary anoints Jesus 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:38.700 with an expensive ointment 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:40.639 made from pure nard's perfume 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.539 and wipes his feet 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.519 with her hair. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:44.539 So, 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:45.639 anointing, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.539 if you might recall 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.399 from the Old Testament, 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.779 is a practice 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.819 intended to 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.980 set apart kings 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.139 in particular 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.699 and prophets 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.240 and priests 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.980 for God's service. 00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:57.080 And so, 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.139 it's reserved 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.500 not for everyone, 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.319 but for people 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:00.819 who have been 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:01.860 specially set aside 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.679 for God's service. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.779 The prophets, 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.100 priests, 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:04.700 and kings. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.540 And that, 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.140 of course, 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:07.600 makes sense 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.500 for Mary to do that, 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:08.660 right? 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.200 Because Jesus 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:09.720 is the one 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.440 that fulfills 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.140 all of those 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:11.920 Old Testament figures. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.280 He's the ultimate prophet. 00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:14.640 He's the ultimate priest. 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.680 He's the ultimate king. 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.080 So, 00:14:16.140 --> 00:14:17.180 it is very appropriate 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.180 for her to anoint her 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:18.620 this way. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.180 But, 00:14:19.520 --> 00:14:20.320 something unusual 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:20.960 is going on here 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.640 because usually 00:14:21.640 --> 00:14:23.040 you anoint people 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:23.720 on their head. 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:26.420 But here it says 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:28.940 Mary anointed him 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.259 on his feet. 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:32.980 And, 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.680 if you check 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.640 the parallel accounts 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.519 in Matthew and Mark, 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:37.100 it's in Matthew 26 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.460 and Mark 14, 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.860 we find out that, 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.340 I mean, 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.100 she actually anointed 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.740 the whole body, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.519 which is why 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.360 they highlight the head. 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:45.340 But, 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.519 but it seems 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.539 John here 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.179 is intentionally 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:48.659 highlighting 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.919 when the part 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.699 when she was highlighting, 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.419 she was anointing 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:51.840 the feet. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:52.860 And why? 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.860 Why is she highlighting 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.120 the feet? 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.039 Because that's a sign 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:57.000 of self-abasement. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.019 Because 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:01.319 it was customary 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:01.860 for the host 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.500 of the dinner 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.480 to provide 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.139 for the washing 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:04.960 of the guest's feet. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.480 But that was done 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.659 by servants, 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.860 not by the host. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.919 And it was done 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.779 with towels, 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.879 not with the hair. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.620 And it was considered 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.340 dishonorable 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.179 in this culture 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:17.779 for a woman 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.819 in polite company 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.799 to let down 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:20.299 their tresses. 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.819 Yet she does that 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.279 and wipes 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.319 his feet 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:26.600 with her hair 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.179 and the expensive 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.259 perfume. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.939 because Mary, 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.519 this is a gesture 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.980 of great humility 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.519 and love 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:34.980 because Mary 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.700 perceives Jesus 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.939 to be so worthy 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:37.519 of honor 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.679 and she sees 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.360 herself to be 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.500 so unworthy 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.879 to be with Jesus. 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.840 She does 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.200 what she can think 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.340 of, 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.600 the most radical 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.319 thing she can think 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:49.819 of doing 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:50.759 to pour out 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.840 the most expensive 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.139 perfume she has 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.200 and washes 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.860 his feet 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:56.480 with her hair. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:00.180 And there's 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:00.940 such a contrast 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:01.539 with the Jewish 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.159 leaders, isn't it? 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:02.560 They're trying 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.300 to kill him 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.860 to preserve 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.420 their rule. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.480 But Mary here 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:06.980 is seeking 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.700 to anoint him 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:08.340 and to set him up, 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:08.759 prepare him 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.480 for his rule. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.860 And this was not 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.840 your ordinary 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.879 expensive perfume. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:15.700 It says, 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.159 verse 4 and 6, 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:17.460 it says, 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:17.960 4 to 6, 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.120 it says, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:19.200 But Judas Iscariot, 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.580 one of his disciples, 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.560 he who was about 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.420 to betray him, 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.420 said, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.519 Why was this oin 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.180 and not sold 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:27.679 for 300 denarii 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.000 and given 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.579 to the poor? 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.899 He said this 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.859 not because 00:16:31.859 --> 00:16:32.659 he cared about 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.039 the poor, 00:16:33.359 --> 00:16:33.859 but because 00:16:33.859 --> 00:16:34.659 he was a thief. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.379 And having charge 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:36.879 of the money back, 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.659 he used to help 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.299 himself to what 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.819 was put into it. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.979 So the value 00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:41.559 of the perfume 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:43.500 is 300 denarii. 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.799 A denarii, 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:45.759 one denarii, 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.759 is the wage 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:49.000 of a full day's work 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.819 for a common worker. 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.799 So 300 denarii, 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.299 if you count 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.219 weekends off 00:16:53.219 --> 00:16:53.539 or whatever, 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.620 like one day off 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:54.979 in a week, 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.840 it's about 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.480 a year's wage. 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.700 And if you consider 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.539 our context, 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.039 Cambridge, 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.100 the median income 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.820 is about $75,900, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.140 $76,000. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:04.779 Okay? 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.039 So this is about 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.740 a $76,000 perfume 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:10.360 in that context. 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.120 That's a lot of money. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:12.839 You can do a lot 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.279 for the poor 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.779 with that money. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:17.160 And so that's 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.980 about as expensive 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.059 as the most expensive 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.539 perfume 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:21.279 in our society now, 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:21.880 according to 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.640 the World Guinness Book. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.820 So that's really expensive. 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:25.560 And the reason 00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:26.080 seems to be 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.240 that it's pure nard, 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.600 right? 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.500 Nard is perfume, 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.580 oil taken from 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.460 the nard plant 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.360 which grows in India, 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.120 which is far. 00:17:33.560 --> 00:17:34.940 So it's exotic origin 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.280 and also it's, 00:17:36.280 --> 00:17:36.500 you know, 00:17:36.540 --> 00:17:37.560 generous quantity. 00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:38.100 It says it was 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.860 a full pound, 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:39.420 right? 00:17:39.520 --> 00:17:40.280 That's almost, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.060 that's three-fourths 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:41.480 of a pint. 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.759 That's a lot of oil. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:43.740 And that's, 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.980 so the exotic origin 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.860 and then the generous 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.720 quantity 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.880 and then the pure quality 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.880 says it's pure nard. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.920 Those three factors 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.880 seem to make this 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.340 really, 00:17:52.540 --> 00:17:53.380 really expensive. 00:17:54.260 --> 00:17:55.000 It's probably 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.920 the most expensive 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.840 thing she owns. 00:17:59.800 --> 00:18:00.980 And that tells us 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.620 that this is not 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.540 a measured, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:02.880 you know, 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.920 calculated generosity. 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.580 She didn't, 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:06.780 you know, 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.800 plan this and said, 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.100 you know, 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:08.280 oh, 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:08.480 you know, 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.300 I can't afford 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:09.820 to give her that 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.580 but I'll give him this. 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.540 And she was not 00:18:11.540 --> 00:18:12.540 planning a gift 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:13.020 in that way. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.740 This is a lavish 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.920 gesture of love. 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:17.880 And that's precisely 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.780 what Judas Iscariot 00:18:19.780 --> 00:18:20.880 who's about to betray him 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:22.020 does not understand. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.880 He sees the price tag 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.580 on the perfume 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:27.460 and not the infinite value 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.480 and worth of the man 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.540 standing before him. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.140 His greed masquerades 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.860 as charity. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.920 Now his mind wanders 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.580 to all the stuff 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:37.240 he could have bought 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.860 with that money. 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.740 But Mary, 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:43.020 he's not constrained 00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:44.240 by necessity, 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:45.340 right? 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:48.079 I mean, 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.799 think about it this way. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.740 We don't spare expenses 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.819 for the people we love, 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.059 right? 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.839 That's why parents 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.679 buy, you know, 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.639 expensive shoes 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.519 for their toddlers 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.019 even though 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.399 they're going to outgrow it 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.240 in a couple months 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.599 and they'll never remember 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.379 ever wearing it, 00:19:00.459 --> 00:19:00.659 right? 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.659 That's why, 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.279 you know, 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.419 lovers buy each other 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.759 expensive diamond rings 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.879 when a simple wedding band 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.279 will do. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.419 You don't have to do that. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:15.320 But people do 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:17.140 as a lavish gesture of love. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:22.940 Mary is so exceedingly grateful 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.259 for what Jesus has done 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.940 for her 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.620 in raising her brother 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.340 from the dead 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:29.720 and she is so convinced 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.539 of the surpassing worth 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.160 of Jesus 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.019 who can raise 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.420 even the dead to life. 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.940 This is not a calculated 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.519 benevolence, 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:38.720 no. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.900 She wants to do 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.920 anything she can 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.079 to express her love, 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.000 her gratitude 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.880 and you know what? 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.700 The more costly, 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.759 the more difficult 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.299 the gesture, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.900 the better 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.960 for that purpose. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.160 So she grabs 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.980 the most expensive 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.019 thing she can find, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.000 pours it on his feet, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.480 wipes his feet 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.880 with her hair. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.519 And Christian brothers 00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.980 and sisters, 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.440 isn't that not how 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.799 we love our Savior Jesus too? 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.019 This is not 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.740 a foreign sentiment. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:09.160 This is not an aberration. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.980 This is not an anomaly. 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.259 That's the heartbeat 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.500 of every single Christian 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.380 who has been indwelled 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.420 by the Spirit of God. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.859 Would you not 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.559 if our Lord 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.440 called you to 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.420 give up everything 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:19.880 you have 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.519 and follow Him? 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:21.859 Would you not 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.680 if He called you 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.960 to leave your family 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.620 and your friends 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.500 to go to the ends 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.960 of the earth 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.740 to be His missionary? 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.160 Would you not 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.880 want your every child, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.740 your every friend, 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.859 your every family member 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.700 to be devoted 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.559 to His service? 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:37.079 That's the heart 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.759 of the Christian. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.259 That's the heart 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.759 of love. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.839 And not because 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.799 we're so great 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.699 and noble 00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:47.159 and loyal to Jesus, 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.779 but because He's 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.419 loved us 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.879 in such an amazing, 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.000 radical way. 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:54.319 Because He loved us first. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.699 Because He paid 00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.579 the ultimate sacrifice 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.000 and died for our sins. 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.859 So out of joy, 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.919 out of love, 00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:01.939 out of gratitude, 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.360 that's our heart. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:10.340 And so Jesus rebukes 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.340 Judas. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.380 Verse 7, 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.799 leave her alone 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:17.320 so that she may keep it 00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:18.000 for the day 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.340 of my burial. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:22.139 for the poor 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:22.859 you always have 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.319 with you, 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.299 but you do not 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.799 always have me. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.879 So the word keep 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:29.959 is to continue, 00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:31.119 to let it continue. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.179 So He's saying, 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.659 let her continue this 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:35.079 because this is a preparation 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.899 for my day of burial. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.879 And there's something 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.899 paradoxical about that 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.379 too, isn't it? 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.220 Because Mary here 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.759 is not aware of that. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.619 Mary here is simply 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:45.619 preparing. 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.480 She wants to 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.339 make Him king. 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.480 She wants to say, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.079 you're king. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.859 You should be 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.919 the true king over us. 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:52.220 So she anoints Him 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:54.559 on not knowing 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.480 that she's preparing 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.699 Him for His burial. 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.919 Because Jesus knows 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.399 that His time on earth 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.220 is coming to an end. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.059 He's going to die 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.599 for our sins. 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.639 He's going to rise again. 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.839 And He's going to ascend 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.759 into heaven. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.919 And because of that, 00:22:09.939 --> 00:22:10.359 He says, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.339 the poor you always 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.799 have with you, 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.359 but you will not 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.679 always have me. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.659 Jesus is not denigrating 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.640 and caring for the poor. 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.500 All Christians 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.380 are called to care 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.860 for the poor. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.000 But God, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.000 He is God. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.380 Infinite value, 00:22:27.540 --> 00:22:28.180 infinite worth 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.620 is His. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.340 So this is an 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.200 appropriate gesture, 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.660 He says, 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.400 to Judas. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.440 And ironically, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.880 it's not for His 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.460 inauguration, 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.279 but for His burial. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.300 In fact, 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.240 as John would put it, 00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:40.880 more precisely, 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.820 His death 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.939 is His inauguration. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.639 His cross, 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.259 where He dies, 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.379 is His throne. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.799 That's the way 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.700 in which He comes 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.839 into His lordship, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.639 His kingdom. 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.500 That's how He creates 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.379 His kingdom, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.019 His people, 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.099 through His death 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.639 on the cross. 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:59.359 That brings us 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.259 to our final point, 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:02.259 God's sovereign plan. 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:03.759 Because we've seen 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.439 the Jewish leaders' 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.240 paradoxical plot, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.039 we've seen Mary's 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.460 paradoxical preparation, 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.240 and we now see 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.200 God's sovereign plan 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.819 woven throughout 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.859 this entire passage. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.740 Because look, 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.439 go back with me 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:13.279 in chapter 11, 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.099 verse 54. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.619 It said that Jesus 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.699 no longer walked 00:23:16.699 --> 00:23:17.819 openly among the Jews, 00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:18.959 but went from there 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.679 to the region 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.899 near the wilderness 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:23.439 to a town called Ephraim. 00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:26.759 So Jesus left Bethany 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.879 where Jesus raised 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.399 last from the dead 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.859 because He was 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.679 about to be killed. 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.479 There were people 00:23:31.479 --> 00:23:32.179 out to get Him. 00:23:32.479 --> 00:23:34.139 So He did not walk openly, 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.419 He says. 00:23:34.459 --> 00:23:34.979 He was hiding. 00:23:35.459 --> 00:23:36.599 And He leaves Bethany 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.240 for that reason. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:38.979 But then look again 00:23:38.979 --> 00:23:39.939 in chapter 12, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.439 verse 1. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.979 When the Passover feast 00:23:41.979 --> 00:23:42.519 is at hand, 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.459 it says that Jesus, 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.899 fully knowing that 00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:45.839 there is an arrest warrant 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.439 out for Him, 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:46.799 He says, 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.519 therefore, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.159 He says, 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.479 He came to Bethany 00:23:49.479 --> 00:23:51.099 where Lazarus was, 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.159 whom Jesus has raised 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:54.199 from the dead. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.839 So earlier, 00:23:55.979 --> 00:23:56.779 He left Bethany 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:58.359 in order to hide 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:58.979 from the people 00:23:58.979 --> 00:23:59.240 who were trying 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.699 to kill Him. 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.279 And now He returns 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.079 to Bethany 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.939 where the same people 00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.919 are trying to kill Him. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.619 And the only reason 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.719 supplied by the text 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:08.179 for this curious behavior 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.240 seems to be that 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.740 the festival of the Passover 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.360 was at hand. 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:13.200 So what's going on? 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:13.580 Why? 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.680 Why the Passover? 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.019 Because the Passover, 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.380 of course, 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.259 celebrated the night 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.519 when the Israelites 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.660 were still in captivity 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.160 in Egypt. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.620 The angel of death 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.740 came as the last plague 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.420 over the Egyptians 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:25.460 to kill all the firstborn 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.779 of Egypt 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.160 and Israelites as well, 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.360 except for the Israelites' 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:29.900 household 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.840 who had taken, 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.400 who had killed 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.320 the blameless lamb 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:33.920 and daubed the blood 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.860 on their doors. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:37.859 to tell the angel of death 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.959 to signify that, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.079 no, 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.519 there was a substitution here. 00:24:41.439 --> 00:24:42.459 The lamb has died 00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:44.359 instead of the firstborn. 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.779 And Jesus, 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.599 working under God's 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.799 sovereign guidance, 00:24:50.479 --> 00:24:51.879 His Father's sovereign guidance, 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:54.619 knows that when Passover comes, 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:56.500 His time to die has come. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:25:00.240 That's why when the Passover comes, 00:25:00.719 --> 00:25:02.139 the town that He had fled 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:02.819 just earlier, 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.639 a few verses earlier, 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.960 He returns to it. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.840 Because He is the Passover lamb 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:12.440 whose sacrifice 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.320 spares us, 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:16.220 saves us. 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:19.759 Moreover, 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.920 as we saw earlier, 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:21.180 right, 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.520 Mary, 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.380 who anoints Jesus 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.720 and unwittingly prepares Him 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.259 for His burial, 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.800 even the Jewish leaders 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:27.420 who seek to kill Jesus, 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.580 they're all playing 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.940 right into God's hands, 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.620 aren't they? 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.380 They don't know that. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.380 They don't know that what they're doing 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.960 is serving God's sovereign plan 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.400 of redemption, 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.220 but it is. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.540 And that's how God works 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:41.520 in and through 00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:43.100 and over all that we do. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.180 And so, 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:45.700 Peter, 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.380 after Jesus' resurrection, 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.820 in a sermon that he gives 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.620 to the early church 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.520 in Acts chapter 2, 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.100 says this, 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.240 men of Israel, 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.059 hear these words, 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.179 Jesus of Nazareth, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.799 a man attested to you by God 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.879 with mighty works 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.539 and wonders 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.000 and signs that God did 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.959 through Him in your midst, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.339 as you yourselves know, 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:03.299 this Jesus 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:05.039 delivered up 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:07.219 according to the definite plan 00:26:07.219 --> 00:26:08.859 and foreknowledge of God, 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.279 you crucified 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.259 and killed 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.659 by the hands of lawless men. 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.920 This is the mystery 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.600 of how God's sovereign will 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:18.000 works 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.340 with our 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.360 human will, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.700 right? 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.900 The Jews, 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:24.200 on their own accord, 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.580 plot 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:27.800 and agree to arrest 00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:29.820 and crucify 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.420 Jesus, 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:33.120 but even their rebellious, 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.440 sinful deeds 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.940 were according to 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.120 the definite plan 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.240 and foreknowledge 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.100 of God. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.259 Sometimes, 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.380 we picture God 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:45.320 like a divine shortstop. 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:46.300 You guys know the position 00:26:46.300 --> 00:26:46.840 in baseball? 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.180 Like, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.980 they catch the most balls 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.480 that are hit, 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:49.860 right? 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.759 They're the ones that kind of 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.740 make up for your mistakes, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.120 salvage the play 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.160 or salvage the game, 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.500 right? 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.680 We think of God 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.420 like that sometimes, 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:56.900 right? 00:26:57.120 --> 00:26:58.440 We make all these mistakes, 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.360 we mess up things 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.340 and then God just kind of 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.099 frantically going around 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.119 trying to make things okay 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.519 to salvage our lives. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.059 That's not how it works, 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:05.859 right? 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:06.959 That's not at all 00:27:06.959 --> 00:27:07.819 the picture of the 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.500 sovereign God. 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:10.339 All of our mistakes, 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:12.019 all that we ever do, 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:14.579 God intends for good. 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.480 He intends for 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.480 His sovereign purposes. 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:22.559 He's not reactionary. 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:23.379 He's sovereign. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.619 And His ultimate plan 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:30.019 is to save His, 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.500 His children 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.680 for His glory 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.359 through the substitutionary 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.480 death of Jesus. 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.220 And that's why 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.079 Christians, 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:40.400 we so often quote 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.680 Romans 8, 28, 30 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.240 to one another, 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.539 right? 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.279 Which says, 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.099 and we know that 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:45.200 for those who love God, 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.680 all things work together 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.519 for good. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.339 For those who are called 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.460 according to His purpose, 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.079 for those whom He foreknew, 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.220 He also predestined 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.019 to be conformed 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.839 to the image of His Son 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.379 in order that He might be 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.019 the firstborn 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.859 among many brothers. 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.779 And those whom He predestined, 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.539 He also called. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.900 And those whom He called, 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.799 He also justified. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.259 And those whom He justified, 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.619 He also glorified. 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.359 See, all that we do, 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.339 everything that happens 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:09.720 in our life, 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.440 God does, 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.960 works out for our good. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.259 And what is good? 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.740 It's not our own 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.079 selfish perceptions of good. 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.500 It's not our own 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.940 perception of earthly goods. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.640 He's going to give me 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.220 whatever I want. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.220 He's going to let me 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.960 fulfill my plans. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.920 No, that's not the good. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:26.900 The good is this redemption plan, 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.400 salvation plan. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.960 We're going to be conformed 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.240 to the image of His Son, 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:32.019 Jesus Christ. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.539 We're going to be glorified 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.120 with Him. 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.080 That good, 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.519 that ultimate good, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:40.019 that plan is unavoidable 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.980 for the children of God. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:45.880 God sovereignly accomplishes 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.700 that plan. 00:28:48.780 --> 00:28:49.380 So then, 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.060 the lowest moments 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:51.980 of your life 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.560 that you're ashamed of, 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:54.380 right? 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:58.080 As well as the highest moments 00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:58.680 that fill you with 00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.140 great joy and pride. 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.700 The biggest mistakes 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.500 you've ever made 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.140 in your life. 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:08.880 As well as the best decisions 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.620 you've ever made. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.680 All your failures and sins. 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:14.760 If you have entrusted 00:29:14.760 --> 00:29:15.820 your life to Jesus, 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:18.120 they will all invariably, 00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:19.520 unavoidably, 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.160 ineluctably lead 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:22.880 to God's ultimate salvation, 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:23.880 your salvation 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:24.880 and glorification 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.480 in Jesus Christ. 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:28.620 And what does that mean for us? 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.700 As Christians, 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.460 that means we never 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.220 need to despair. 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.060 We're always 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:33.920 a people of hope. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.540 Because maybe 00:29:35.540 --> 00:29:36.620 if you look at your life 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.440 and then you mourn 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:39.240 the painstakingly slow process 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.080 of sanctification, 00:29:40.560 --> 00:29:41.900 you see your own sin, 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.360 your own unworthiness 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.020 before God, 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.960 then you can be assured 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.480 this morning 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.859 that God is at work, 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.240 that God has saved you. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.460 He's saving you 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.700 and He will save you. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.859 Perhaps you look at your life 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.579 full of suffering 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.400 and sorrows 00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:00.059 and start to doubt 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.279 God's good intentions 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.819 for you. 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.180 Well, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.740 from this you can be assured 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.799 that God's plan for you 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.539 is good. 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.240 It's to save 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.140 through His Son, 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.799 Jesus Christ. 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:16.460 Maybe you're anxious. 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:19.860 Maybe you're a type of person, 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.840 the worst possible scenario 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.560 is the one 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:23.320 that always races 00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:23.980 through your mind 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.039 whenever you're thinking 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.539 about something 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.240 that's coming up. 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.920 You're anxious, 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.759 you're worried, 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.640 you're fearful. 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:33.580 fearful about what might happen, 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.440 what the future holds. 00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:35.740 Well, 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.000 then you can put your fears 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.800 to rest 00:30:37.800 --> 00:30:41.440 because God's ultimate design 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.060 for you 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:43.980 is not suffering. 00:30:44.320 --> 00:30:45.800 That's the penultimate design. 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.000 The ultimate design 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.860 is sanctification. 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.880 It's glorification. 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.000 salvation. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.260 It's not destruction 00:30:55.260 --> 00:30:56.260 but salvation. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:02.100 Martin Luther King Jr. 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.960 once said, 00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:03.760 the arc 00:31:03.760 --> 00:31:05.400 of the moral universe 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.060 is long 00:31:06.060 --> 00:31:06.940 but it bends 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.280 toward justice. 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.380 And we could say 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.060 from this passage, 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.480 the arc of human history 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.440 is also long 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:15.120 but it always 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.000 bends 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.180 toward God's 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.880 sovereign plan 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.620 to save 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.420 His people 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.660 through Jesus. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.540 Christ. 00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.420 Let's pray. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:33.940 God, 00:31:34.020 --> 00:31:34.840 we praise you 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.140 that you are not powerless, 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.700 that you are not 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.520 limited, 00:31:42.020 --> 00:31:43.240 that your 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:45.220 arms are not 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.880 too short 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.520 to save 00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:48.400 but you are 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:48.960 sovereign 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:52.079 and you will 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.620 accomplish 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.180 your sovereign 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.680 purposes 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.680 to save 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.460 your children 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.299 in the end. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.600 Lord, 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.480 we are grateful. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.059 We praise you. 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.340 Help us 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.400 to live in light 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.299 of that wonderful truth 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.860 so that we may be 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:04.039 comforted in our suffering, 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.000 assured in our 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.779 uncertainties 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:09.240 and so that we, 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:09.960 like Mary, 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:11.259 may be devoted 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.220 to you in love. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:17.620 in Jesus' name 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:17.940 we pray. 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.819 Amen. 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:18.960 Amen. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:48.940 Thank you.