WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:01.500 Thanks so much, Beth. 00:00:01.679 --> 00:00:03.800 And if you haven't worded out yet, I'm Archie. 00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:06.080 I'm the pastor in training here. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:09.779 And it's my pleasure to be opening God's word for us this morning. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:13.900 If you don't already have it open in front of you, do get that passage open. 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:16.920 It's on page 1079 of the Pew Bibles. 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:18.440 And I really do mean that. 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:20.600 Get it open in front of you, even if it's on a screen. 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:23.280 Although if it is on a screen, put your phone in airplane mode. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:25.600 Because we know that you'll get distracted otherwise. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:28.719 Why don't I pray before we open God's word together? 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.400 Let me pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.359 Heavenly Father, I pray that this morning you would be at work amongst us by your Holy Spirit. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:43.799 Helping us to see a much bigger picture of who Jesus is. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.600 And what he has done for us. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:49.840 For we pray in his precious name. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:51.379 Amen. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:58.879 And when my sister-in-law was a teenager, Karina is her name, she entered a competition. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:00.800 It was a Harry Potter competition. 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:04.500 She had to write a letter about why she loved those books so much. 00:01:05.020 --> 00:01:08.859 And the winner was going to win a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. 00:01:09.240 --> 00:01:10.060 Very exciting. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.040 And Karina didn't win. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:13.780 But she was a runner-up. 00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:19.800 And 14 runners-up were given specially produced and signed copies of the first Harry Potter book. 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:22.359 Those books were never released for sale. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:25.340 There are only 15 copies in the world, apparently. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:30.539 Now, last year, there was a fire in their block of flats. 00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:31.359 It was pretty bad. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:33.439 And a lot of their stuff was smoke damaged. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:37.680 One of the flats on the ground floor of their building was basically destroyed. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:41.439 The staircase up to their flat was declared unusable. 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:42.500 And they had to move out. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:47.560 And so a few months ago, they were able to get back into their flat to get some of their stuff. 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.939 And Karina had basically forgotten all about this book. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:56.260 And as she was looking for stuff that it was worth taking out of the flat, she found it tucked away at the back of a cupboard. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:01.240 She decided then to see whether this book might be worth something. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:03.760 She took it to an auction house. 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:08.360 And last month, this book sold for £15,000. 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:12.719 Here's the point for us this morning. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:24.340 If she had known how much that book was worth, if she'd known how valuable it was, there is no way it would have been stuck at the back of a dusty cupboard. 00:02:24.980 --> 00:02:32.300 And I'm pretty sure it would have been one of the first things that she would have taken with her when they realized that their flat was that they were going to have to move out. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:36.000 We treat things, don't we, according to their value. 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:44.200 Not necessarily their monetary value, as in the case of this book, but how valuable things are to us dictates how we treat them. 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:50.040 When I was about 16 years old, and I remember this so clearly, I was at a party. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:52.720 I was standing at the fireplace with a friend of mine's big brother. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:54.540 And he was at university. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:55.400 I was 16. 00:02:55.480 --> 00:02:56.820 He was maybe four years older than me. 00:02:56.980 --> 00:02:58.780 And I just thought he was so cool. 00:02:58.880 --> 00:03:01.439 You can imagine, right, little Archie looking up to this guy. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:02.900 And he said this. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:04.479 This was his advice for me. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:08.400 This Christianity thing is all fine and well. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:10.639 It's good to have faith. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:13.060 But just don't take it too seriously. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:16.120 Don't let it get in the way. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.620 You've got a life to live. 00:03:19.139 --> 00:03:21.500 And he totally missed the point, hadn't he? 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:23.180 I didn't see this at the time. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:27.159 But looking back, he just didn't understand the value of the thing. 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:30.319 The value of Jesus at all. 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:38.500 If Jesus really is who he claims to be, if he really did the stuff that we've been reading about in John's Gospel together, 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:41.900 then the response to that is not, don't take this too seriously. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:47.780 The response has got to be, you can give this everything that you've got. 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:50.780 Because Jesus is valuable. 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.259 There is nothing more valuable. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:53.719 It's worth it. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:57.259 So that's where we're going this morning. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:03.759 But to get us into it, just notice how the passage that we've just read, and thanks so much for reading, Beth. 00:04:03.920 --> 00:04:05.520 Just check out how this is structured. 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:08.800 If you come back to chapter 11 with me first, really quickly. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:13.880 In chapter 11, we've seen over the last couple of weeks, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:20.699 And that's kind of a foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection and his promise of power over death, 00:04:20.840 --> 00:04:25.720 that one day there'll be eternal resurrection for life for us as well if we trust him. 00:04:26.080 --> 00:04:32.900 But then in verse 53, right at the end of chapter 11, they're plotting to take his life. 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:39.539 We saw last week that Jesus would die, that it would be a death in our place sort of dying, 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:44.259 his death for our life, the free offer of eternal life. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:48.359 They're plotting to kill Jesus then before our passage starts. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:51.779 And then if you come back to chapter 12 and have a look at verse 10, 00:04:52.859 --> 00:04:56.259 we get a reminder in chapter 12, verse 10, 00:04:56.339 --> 00:04:59.620 the chief priest made plans to kill Lazarus as well. 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:01.679 That is, as well as Jesus. 00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:06.979 So either side of our passage this morning, we're reminded that Jesus is going to die. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:12.779 And then in verse 1, verse 1 of chapter 12, as if it was necessary, 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:17.839 as if we'd forgotten what we read in chapter 11, this reminder, see in verse 1, 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:23.419 Jesus is in Bethany where Lazarus lives, whom Jesus raised from the dead. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:26.099 And we've literally just read that. 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:28.479 Then again, look down in verse 9. 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:32.319 A load of people have come to get a look at Jesus, but not only Jesus, 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:37.899 Lazarus 2, you know, the guy, verse 9, whom he raised from the dead. 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:43.079 The point that I think John is making this morning, 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:46.000 this passage is sandwiched between these reminders, 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:49.079 reminders that Jesus is on his way to die, 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:51.560 a death in our place sort of death, 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.959 but also reminders that he is powerful over death, 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:58.319 that with him resurrection is possible. 00:05:59.359 --> 00:06:01.259 Why does John give us this structure? 00:06:02.479 --> 00:06:05.620 Well, chapter 11, verse 2, before the Lazarus thing, 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:07.539 John tells us about Mary, 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:11.479 and he says that she was the one who anointed the Lord with ointment 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:13.560 and wiped his feet with her hair. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:16.579 Now, obviously, as you read through John's gospel, 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:18.240 that scene hasn't happened yet. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:22.280 And I think that John simply wants to put what is to come, 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:25.519 Lazarus' resurrection and the promise of eternal life, 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:28.220 in the context of what Mary is going to do. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.939 In other words, this whole section from the start of chapter 11 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:34.620 to the end of our passage is supposed to hang together. 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:36.720 It comes as a package. 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:41.920 And what we get in our passage this morning, 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.720 essentially, is responses. 00:06:43.940 --> 00:06:46.280 We get Mary's response to what Jesus has done, 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:49.600 but we also get a response from another guy. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:51.800 Now, I don't know if you've ever met someone called Judas. 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:55.140 I've definitely never met someone with that name. 00:06:55.260 --> 00:06:57.800 I imagine it's one of the least popular names going today. 00:06:57.900 --> 00:06:58.780 We all know why. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.340 The name is basically synonymous with traitor, isn't it? 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:04.240 Mary, on the other hand, 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:07.460 is a name that apparently has been in the top 10 most popular names 00:07:07.460 --> 00:07:09.180 more times than any other. 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:11.379 It's a super popular name. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:13.960 And that won't be a surprise. 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:18.199 It's Mary and Judas responding in our passage this morning, 00:07:18.340 --> 00:07:20.199 responding to what Jesus has done. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:22.639 And John intentionally puts them together 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:27.420 to contrast the positive response of Mary with Judas. 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:31.040 Before we get there, he sets the scene. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:32.120 Have a look at verse 2. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.939 They're in Bethany, Lazarus' hometown. 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:36.280 And then in verse 2, 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:39.259 here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:42.660 Martha served while Lazarus was among those 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:44.160 reclining at the table with him. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:45.199 So here's the setting. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:48.019 It's a dinner party, a kind of banquet, if you like, 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.840 a celebration in honor of Jesus, 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:52.620 a celebration in honor of what he's just done. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:55.019 Again, notice the reminder, as if we needed it, 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.620 that Lazarus is very much alive. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:00.740 But check out what Mary does in verse 3. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:05.240 Mary took about half a liter of pure nard, 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:09.459 an expensive perfume, and she poured it on Jesus' feet. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.959 I remember reading that as a teenager and just thinking, 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.139 that is so weird. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.399 Like, what a weird thing to do. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:17.500 So what's going on? 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.399 Well, firstly, what is nard? 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.459 And to my wife's chagrin, 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:25.240 I know almost nothing about 21st century perfume, 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:27.100 let alone first century perfume. 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:28.180 But I did some reading, 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:30.460 and apparently nard comes from the Himalayas, 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.600 which is quite a long way away from Israel. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.120 Apparently it's super rare, 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.399 and we'll see it's super expensive. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:39.080 And half a liter is quite a lot of perfume. 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:42.659 This is an incredibly extravagant thing 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.500 for Mary to have done. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.399 In fact, we'll come back to it, 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.680 but see in verse 4, 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:52.279 Judas tells us exactly how much this perfume is worth. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:57.500 You might have 300 denarii in your translation. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:58.759 That's what's there in the Greek. 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:01.179 Your translators might have helpfully converted that 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.240 to a year's wages. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:06.839 300 denarii was more or less equivalent 00:09:06.839 --> 00:09:09.159 to the average year's salary. 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:11.779 Just to put that into perspective, 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:13.500 the average salary in Edinburgh today 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:15.360 is about 36,000 pounds. 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:18.500 Can you imagine taking that amount of money 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.819 and just pouring it out? 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:22.740 It's incredibly extravagant. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.300 Deb, I've forgotten to bring my clicker up. 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:26.100 Do you mind just moving the slides along for me? 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:29.080 I'll give you a nod when to do so, 00:09:29.260 --> 00:09:30.240 and the next one, thanks. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:33.640 And why does she pour it on Jesus's feet? 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.120 Well, feet washing was a pretty normal 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.140 cultural thing to do. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:39.020 You can imagine dusty roads and sandals. 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:41.120 There was always foot washing going on 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:41.840 in the ancient world, 00:09:42.040 --> 00:09:44.080 and especially at the start of a dinner party. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.160 Generally, the servants, 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:47.340 maybe sometimes the host, 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.380 would kind of wash the guests' feet. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:51.120 But what Mary is doing here 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:53.480 is so much more than simple foot washing, isn't it? 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.480 I mean, doing it with perfume is pretty weird, 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:57.379 but it gets weirder as we keep reading 00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:59.720 because she wiped his feet with her hair. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.919 That's such a weird thing to do. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:05.340 And I think it's actually weirder than I thought 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:08.419 because culturally, the hair in ancient Israel, 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:11.320 it was like the crowning glory of a woman's femininity. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:14.559 I mean, I know that some women today love their hair, 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.679 but it's lost its symbolic freight, I think. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:20.599 Jewish women would always wear their hair up 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:22.479 because otherwise it was kind of like 00:10:22.479 --> 00:10:23.579 to show their modesty. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.739 And so to let it down like this 00:10:25.739 --> 00:10:28.899 and wipe Jesus' feet is a really strange thing to do. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.279 Why is she doing it? 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.639 Well, it might look weird, 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:36.219 but it is the most remarkable display 00:10:36.219 --> 00:10:39.739 of humility and affection to Jesus. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:43.980 And it is just totally the appropriate response 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:46.019 to who he is and what he's done. 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.340 Why? 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:50.440 Because it recognizes the value of the man. 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.480 It is incredibly affectionate. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:55.440 If you could move the slides on, 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:56.759 a couple did, that'd be great. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:59.639 And notice the effect that what she's done 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:01.360 has on the house. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.299 And this is an incredibly public act. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.120 At the end of verse three, 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.139 the whole house was filled 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:09.779 with the fragrance of the perfume. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:12.139 Like just the nature of what she's done, 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.940 those in the room can obviously see it. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.759 But more than that, 00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:16.720 everyone in the house can smell it. 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.759 What she's doing here, 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:21.279 it's not a private display of affection for Jesus. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.840 It's not simply all about her and him. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:26.399 It's incredibly public. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:29.759 This is Mary's response. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:33.120 It's extravagant and affectionate and public. 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.879 And we'll come back to each of those 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.840 as we put the whole thing together at the end. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.500 But for now, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.120 I think we can ask of ourselves 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.539 if we're not already doing this, 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:42.779 as we consider how we respond 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.620 to what Jesus has done 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:47.200 and what he promises to do for us. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:49.759 How extravagant and affectionate 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:51.879 and public is our response? 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.299 We'll come back and think through 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:57.019 each of those things in turn at the end, 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.379 but just keep that whirring 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.919 at the back of your mind in the meantime. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.399 And before we get there, 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.220 see how Judas responds. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.679 We see in verse four, 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.159 John reminds us 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.959 that this is one of Jesus's disciples. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.399 He also tells us 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.500 that Judas is later going to betray him, 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.860 which actually John does every single time 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:16.899 he mentions Judas in this gospel. 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:18.659 And it's key, actually, 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:20.100 as we read into verse five, 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:22.439 notice Judas's objection in verse five. 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:25.059 Why wasn't this perfume sold 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.379 and the money given to the poor? 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:27.819 In other words, 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:29.519 what a massive waste of money. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.059 And let's be honest, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.460 if John hasn't just told us 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.439 what to think of Judas, 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.699 the temptation would be 00:12:36.699 --> 00:12:38.259 to sympathize with him, wouldn't it? 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:40.439 Maybe that still is the temptation. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.199 I mean, 36,000 pounds, 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:43.620 the equivalent of surely 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.019 giving that to the poor 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.980 is going to be much better 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:47.500 than just pouring that money 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.740 all over the floor. 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:52.019 And notice how Judas's response 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:54.299 is just the total opposite to Mary. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:57.799 Her response was incredibly extravagant, 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:59.359 and his, it looks reasonable, 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:02.120 but it's incredibly cheap. 00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:04.579 See, as if to make it clear 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:06.159 that we shouldn't be on Judas's side, 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.559 John reveals in verse six, 00:13:07.959 --> 00:13:09.000 Judas didn't say this 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.439 because he cared about the poor, 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.899 but because he was a thief. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:15.599 As a keeper of the money bag, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.559 he used to help himself 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:18.019 to what was put into it. 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:19.419 He wasn't really concerned 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:20.699 with helping the poor at all, 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:23.000 but rather about the cut 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.779 that he could take 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.979 if they sold the perfume. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.299 This is Judas's response. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.279 His words are cheap, 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.379 but more than that. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.439 Where Mary was incredibly 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:33.099 affectionate towards Jesus. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:36.139 Again, Judas is exactly the opposite. 00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:38.079 It's cold and calculated. 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:39.620 It's incredibly selfish. 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:42.419 And of course, 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:44.419 where Mary's extravagant devotion 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.379 was public, 00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:47.679 Judas's cheap selfishness 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:50.139 was a sly private affair, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.659 helping himself to the money bag 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:54.419 while no one was looking. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.459 It's private. 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:58.059 And I actually think 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.839 that's the really shocking thing here. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.439 I think that's why John reminds us 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.539 of Judas's betrayal 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.039 every time he comes up, 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.639 because it was a shock to them, 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.740 to John and the other disciples. 00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:10.860 I mean, this is the money bag guy. 00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:12.459 He'd been trusted by Jesus. 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.360 In fact, he looked like 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.879 a devoted follower of Jesus 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.919 until he didn't. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.639 But all along, 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.919 he was serving himself 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.620 and not Jesus. 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.279 And it is true today 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:27.000 that it is absolutely possible 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.939 to look like 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:29.339 the most devoted Christian, 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.779 to be serving 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.679 in whatever way at church, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.759 whether that's welcome 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.620 and tea and coffee 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.319 or teaching at kids' church 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.339 or leading services 00:14:38.339 --> 00:14:38.959 and preaching, 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.839 to look the devoted Christian, 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:44.160 maybe to be busy 00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:45.420 trying to serve the poor 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:46.759 and alleviate poverty, 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.180 chasing social justice, 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.320 being the kind neighbor. 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:49.700 Notice, 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.560 all really good things to do. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.519 It's possible to do 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.600 all of that 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.259 and yet to fail 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:58.220 to respond rightly 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.800 to what Jesus has done 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.540 in your heart, 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.019 to fail to respond rightly 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.560 to what he has promised to do. 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:07.559 I don't know where your heart 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:08.379 is at with this 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.219 as I speak. 00:15:09.479 --> 00:15:10.419 Maybe just a chance 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.559 for some introspection 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.859 for, I guess, 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.359 a personal spiritual MOT. 00:15:16.239 --> 00:15:17.899 Maybe ask yourself this morning, 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:18.659 are there ways 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:20.139 that my response to Jesus 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:22.059 in my heart of hearts, 00:15:22.979 --> 00:15:23.919 that it is actually 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:26.000 privately cheap and selfish, 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:29.879 can outwardly look identical 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.199 to the right response 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:31.919 for a time? 00:15:32.119 --> 00:15:32.679 But I wonder, 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.419 are there ways 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.179 that we know 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.899 that our Christian lives 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.079 are serving ourselves 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:39.679 more than they serve Jesus? 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.000 So Jesus sees 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.059 these two contrasting responses 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:46.719 and this is his verdict 00:15:46.719 --> 00:15:47.839 in verse 7. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.679 Leave her alone. 00:15:50.979 --> 00:15:51.879 It's clear, isn't it, 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.359 which response Jesus is after. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.299 He speaks sharply to Judas here. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.439 Leave her alone. 00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:58.479 As he sees straight through him, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.639 he knows that though his response 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.639 might look reasonable 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.419 on the surface, 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.539 that it is incredibly 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.459 selfish. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.759 And as we keep reading, 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.579 we get this slightly 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.939 strange phrase, 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.179 it was intended 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:11.839 that she should save 00:16:11.839 --> 00:16:12.519 this perfume 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.339 for the day 00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:14.219 of my burial. 00:16:15.099 --> 00:16:16.699 Now when John tells us 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.599 that it was intended, 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.099 he's saying, 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.799 God intended this. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.199 Now of course, 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:22.360 this isn't the day 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.759 of Jesus' burial yet. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.599 We're getting there, 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.620 but we're not there yet. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.879 But this kind of anointing 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.620 with perfume 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.779 was something 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.439 that the culture 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.800 did to a dead body. 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:33.420 As we've seen, 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.980 this section of John's gospel 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.720 is definitely making us 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.040 think about that coming day, 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.420 about Jesus' death. 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:40.600 And so, 00:16:40.880 --> 00:16:42.180 what we're being told here 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.380 is that God intended 00:16:43.380 --> 00:16:45.320 that Mary would perform 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:46.360 this act of service 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.160 at this time 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.680 to help build that picture, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.760 to continue to point 00:16:50.760 --> 00:16:51.680 to what was to come. 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.020 And so, 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.360 Jesus' verdict is clear. 00:16:54.760 --> 00:16:55.220 Mary's done 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.500 the appropriate thing, 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.840 even if she didn't 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.860 necessarily understand 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.440 what she was doing. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.759 Her extravagant, 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.160 affectionate public response 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.539 was the right thing to do, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.119 but she didn't necessarily 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.500 understand the full weight 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.500 of what she was doing. 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.200 Something more 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.440 seems to have been going on. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.940 I don't think she realized 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.539 that it pointed 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.900 to the day of his burial. 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.599 And you know, 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.420 I think very often 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.259 we might miss 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.720 the impact and significance 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.319 of our response to Jesus. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.619 In our hearts, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.920 when we serve him 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:26.360 rather than ourselves, 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.740 the impact and significance 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:30.100 of what we do 00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:31.779 and what we say, 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.580 as God takes that 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:35.019 for his purposes, 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.500 when we sing together 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.680 and you give it everything 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.320 and you dare 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.420 to express yourself, 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:39.920 I don't know 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.620 if you realize 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.480 the encouragement 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.220 that you give 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.420 to those around you 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.700 as you respond in that way. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:46.860 When you go towards 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.440 that visitor 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.140 and speak a word of welcome 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.220 or simply just make 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.900 a cup of tea 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.140 or serve on tech 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:53.039 or sound or creche 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.340 or whatever else it is, 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.860 as we do that, 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.880 if we're serving Jesus 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:57.980 in our heart of hearts, 00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:59.539 the impact and significance 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.380 of what we're doing, 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.600 we might not realize it, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.320 but it might just have 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.440 echoes in eternity. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.759 At this stage, 00:18:07.800 --> 00:18:08.820 I realize you might have 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:09.400 got this far 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.440 and maybe you're still 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.180 with Judas. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.840 Like if not actually, 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:13.900 then at least in theory, 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:15.620 this is a massive waste 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.039 of money 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.900 and it might have been 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.380 much better 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:19.259 to have used that money 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.180 to serve the poor. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.160 Well, Jesus continues 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.340 to explain his verdict. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.160 See what he says. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.620 You will always have 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.640 the poor among you, 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:28.120 but you will not always 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.759 have me. 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.900 I think this verse, 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:32.420 this bit here contains 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.160 the key challenge 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.840 of this chapter. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.180 At least this is the thing 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.960 that I've found 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.980 most deeply challenging. 00:18:38.060 --> 00:18:39.600 Jesus is not saying here, 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.540 let me make this clear, 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.240 that they should not 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.380 be concerned with the poor. 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.100 In fact, Jesus is quoting 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:46.019 from Deuteronomy chapter 15 there 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.900 and when he says that 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.340 you will always have 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:50.140 the poor among you, 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.980 that's not to say, 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.960 and so there's no point 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.880 in giving to the poor. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.720 In fact, 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:55.480 in Deuteronomy chapter 15, 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.360 the meaning is essentially 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.640 the opposite of that. 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:58.860 And so instead, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.020 what he is saying 00:19:00.020 --> 00:19:01.560 is that what he has come 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:02.540 to do is just much 00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:03.500 bigger than that. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.200 His mission 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:07.060 is the crucifixion. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.640 He's come to die 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.780 in the place of his people 00:19:09.780 --> 00:19:10.740 so that they might be 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.900 forgiven and live 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.720 and he's raised Lazarus 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.260 from the dead 00:19:14.260 --> 00:19:15.160 because he's going to 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.180 rise again himself 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.460 so that his people 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.720 might do the same 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.620 to live forever, 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:21.180 eternally resurrected. 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.180 And this is challenging, 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.299 but Jesus is saying 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.900 that that is so much bigger 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.220 than alleviating poverty. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.340 Do we believe that 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:28.799 this morning? 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.539 That doesn't mean 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.480 that giving to the poor 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.420 is a waste of time. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.840 It doesn't mean 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.759 that social justice 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.420 of any kind 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.740 should just be shrugged aside. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.500 It definitely doesn't mean 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.200 that we should just 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.060 shut ourselves away 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:41.779 and sing songs 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.180 and pray 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.539 in a sort of devoted huddle. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.100 Instead, 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.840 what it means 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:47.960 is that this greater purpose, 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.600 the mission of Jesus, 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:51.059 his crucifixion 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.140 and resurrection, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.759 the promise of forgiveness 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.980 and eternal life, 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.360 bringing people 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.440 into his kingdom, 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.440 that this should inform 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.059 and control 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:00.620 and empower 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:02.079 everything that we do. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.240 And you know, 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.200 I don't think that that means 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.740 we should be giving 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.799 to the poor less. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.000 In fact, 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.140 I'd imagine it means 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.819 we'd be giving 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.160 to the poor more, 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.940 but with this sort of 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.579 mission in mind 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.160 as we do, 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.340 that all of it 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.960 would be shaped 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.340 around an extravagant 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.279 and affectionate 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.480 and public response 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.440 to Jesus. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:24.259 I began by telling you 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.039 about a friend's 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.440 big brother 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.600 and he told me 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.360 that it was a good idea 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.079 to be a Christian 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.700 but warned me 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.259 not to take it 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.880 too seriously, 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.720 not to let it get 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.180 in the way 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.160 of living my life. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.019 And he could not 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.539 have been more wrong. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.180 This is not 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.420 the first century. 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.380 Jesus isn't here, 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.279 at least he's not here 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.840 bodily. 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.779 We can't just pop 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.519 to Harvey Nichols 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.599 and buy their most 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.359 expensive perfume 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:46.920 and pour it all 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.680 over his feet. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.859 But I asked earlier 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.559 how we were doing 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:50.940 on this 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.639 and I wonder 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.420 what you thought. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.779 How extravagant 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.859 and affectionate 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.400 and public 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.359 is our response? 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:56.779 Well, 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.879 let's just take 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.500 each of those 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.099 in turn. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.359 Firstly, 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.200 how extravagant 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.480 is our response 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.240 as we respond 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.920 to the gospel 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.059 like this? 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.180 At Mary's 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.519 extravagant response, 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.279 she's poured out 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.299 a litre of perfume, 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:11.000 a year's wages worth. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.299 That's £36,000. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.019 Remember, 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.740 it looks like 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.519 a massive waste. 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.720 Judas thought 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.859 it was a massive waste. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.639 Here's what 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.660 Watchman Nee, 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.839 the Chinese evangelist, 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:21.440 said that he would 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:23.599 have said to Judas. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.779 But if the Lord 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.619 is worthy, 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.299 how can it be 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.019 a waste? 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.759 It might be 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.379 for us 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.180 giving a certain 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.940 portion of our 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.079 earnings to the church 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.680 or to the work 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.259 of the gospel. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.660 It might be 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.680 refusing a promotion 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.220 at work 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.900 because you know 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.819 the demands 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.259 that that will 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.279 place on your time 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.859 and you'd much 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.639 rather sacrifice 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.419 that for the sake 00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:46.000 of the gospel. 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:47.319 It could be 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.679 any number of things. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.099 I don't know 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.500 if you've ever 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.579 made a costly move 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.379 like that. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.939 I bet if you did, 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.019 the people around you 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.839 didn't understand 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.639 what you were doing. 00:21:57.439 --> 00:21:58.139 Maybe your friends 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:58.759 and family 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.419 saying things like that 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.399 is such a waste. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.000 Too extravagant, 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.259 maybe. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.659 But if we really 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.740 get the enormity 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.359 of what Jesus 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.339 has done here, 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:10.399 then the extravagant 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.139 response, 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.259 extravagant giving, 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.359 it's no longer 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.299 really uncomfortable 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.259 or sacrificial 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.159 or really costly 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:16.539 to us. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.079 If the gospel 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.819 is true, 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:19.659 then extravagance 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.799 is really good. 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.720 If the gospel 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.139 is true, 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.779 then a life 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:25.039 devoted to Jesus 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.619 is a life 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.359 well lived. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.679 How extravagant 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.419 is our response? 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.819 How affectionate 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.619 is our response? 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.419 Mary's response, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:35.059 not only extravagant, 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.500 but also affectionate 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.119 to get down 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.759 on her hands 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.240 and knees 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.720 and let her hair 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.359 down and wipe 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.339 Jesus' feet, 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.539 the intimacy 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.400 and devotion 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.380 of that act. 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:44.720 And again, 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.500 I want us to see 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.279 that if the gospel 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.019 is true, 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.359 then not only is this 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.660 the appropriate response, 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.619 but it is so good 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:52.019 to respond like this, 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.319 to express our love 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:54.980 and affection 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.599 for the one 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.920 who first loved us. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:58.700 Do you know, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.319 most churches 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.140 across the world 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.180 find our inability 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.259 here to express 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.980 our emotions 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.140 really strange. 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.259 British. 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.500 And it's true 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.180 that we can be 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.180 very British. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.360 But loving Jesus, 00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:11.820 expressing our affection 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:12.259 for him, 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.820 it really is very good. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.240 Because what we're doing 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.000 here is not just 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.360 an intellectual exercise. 00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:18.180 I know it can feel 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.080 like that in this 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.700 sort of moment 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:21.140 with our Bibles open 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.020 and the guy at the front 00:23:22.020 --> 00:23:23.000 apparently explaining 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.700 the text. 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.520 But something much more 00:23:25.520 --> 00:23:26.360 is going on here. 00:23:27.520 --> 00:23:29.080 As we open God's word, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.220 as his spirit moves 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.780 among us 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.980 and as he speaks 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.460 to us, 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.360 it's good to respond 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.180 like this. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.900 It might not be 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:37.180 in our character 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.660 to be overly expressive. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.259 I get that. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.940 That's fine. 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.920 But I think we can often 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.539 just use that 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.240 as an excuse. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.460 And so as we respond 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.039 in song 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.840 in a moment's time, 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.279 I wonder, 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.460 will you be prepared 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.360 to express 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:52.240 your affection for Jesus? 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:52.920 That might be 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.660 a quiet tear 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.400 in your eye. 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.579 It might be singing 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.100 at the top 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:57.960 of your lungs. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.360 And maybe you'll even 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.519 want to raise your hands. 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.059 I don't know 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.640 what it's going to look 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.340 like for you. 00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.759 But I do know 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.720 that it's okay. 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.300 In fact, 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.420 it is very good 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.940 for us to express 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.660 our affection 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.580 for Jesus. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.860 How affectionate 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:14.120 is our response? 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.080 And finally, 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.880 how public 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.740 is our response? 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.540 Mary's response, 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.720 extravagant 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.400 and affectionate, 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.259 it was also public 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.440 as the smell 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.200 of the perfume 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.180 diffused throughout 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.880 the house. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.820 It's very easy, 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.220 isn't it, 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.200 to respond to Jesus 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.820 privately, 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.259 quietly, 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.019 that sort of 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.119 personal relationship 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.720 with Jesus. 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.660 Maybe it's a cup 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.519 of coffee in the morning 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.480 with your Bible open 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.579 or listening to 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.460 some worship music 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.640 or going for a walk 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.099 on your own 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.099 and taking in creation. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.519 Maybe it's pen to paper 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.420 and something artistic 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:42.980 for you. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.259 And look, 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.099 none of those 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.839 are bad things. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.460 In fact, 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.240 if you're not investing 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.460 in your private devotional 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.640 life with Jesus, 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.779 then can I really 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.799 encourage you to do that? 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.359 Find something 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.200 that works for you. 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:54.140 But this morning, 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.640 we need to see 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.480 that if we limit 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.259 our response 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.500 to behind closed doors, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.299 we're missing out 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.420 on a wonderful blessing. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.880 The Christian life 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:04.200 of response to Jesus 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.140 is supposed to be 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.920 lived out amongst 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.700 other people. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:07.759 Yes, 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.299 in church, 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.079 as we encourage 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.700 one another, 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.059 but also whether 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.819 that's at home 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.299 or school 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:12.940 or work 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.460 or the club 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.039 or the gym 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.240 or the coffee shop, 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.319 wherever it is, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.619 does your response 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.140 to Jesus 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.519 so completely inform 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.220 how you live 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.960 that people can't 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.720 help but notice? 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.400 Is it public? 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:25.819 You know, 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.619 of all the implications 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.679 of what Mary does 00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.339 for us, 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.979 I think this is 00:25:28.979 --> 00:25:29.399 the hardest. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.779 Maybe that's just me, 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:34.079 but the temptation 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.619 to be understated, 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:37.239 to respond privately, 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:37.939 but ultimately 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:39.699 to keep it to myself, 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.719 the fear of man, 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.339 of what they might 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.019 think of me 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.659 if I'm prepared 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.759 to let my response 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.299 to Jesus 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.239 really inform 00:25:46.239 --> 00:25:47.500 my life in front of them, 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:49.419 not as a show, 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.199 not for the sake 00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:51.959 of people-pleasing, 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:53.019 but in serving Jesus. 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:54.839 If I'm honest, 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:56.139 I find that really hard. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.899 Maybe you can pray 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:58.539 for me in that, 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.819 that my response 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.339 to Jesus 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.199 with my friends 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:01.899 and my family 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.839 that don't know him 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.259 at the rugby club, 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.919 would you pray 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.659 that my response 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.139 to Jesus 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.939 would affect 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.279 more of what I do? 00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:10.679 That it would be 00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:11.839 increasingly obvious 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.579 and public 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.139 to people 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.479 that as I love him 00:26:14.479 --> 00:26:15.859 and become more like him, 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:16.439 that people might 00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.379 see that in me, 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.639 that they might 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:20.379 see it in you. 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.299 I wonder where 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.979 your head's gone 00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.539 as I've asked 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.299 those questions, 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:27.200 how extravagant 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.960 and affectionate 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.440 and public 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.619 is your response. 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.680 Wherever your head 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.000 has gone on those things 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.839 and will be convicted 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:35.059 in different directions, 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.899 please don't do 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.839 nothing about it. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.919 We don't just do this 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.019 to grow our knowledge 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.500 or, as Graham was saying, 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.039 to kind of have 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.039 a good time together 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.919 on a Sunday morning. 00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:45.079 We do it to prepare 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.879 ourselves for Monday. 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.740 One of the ways 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.460 we do that here 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.240 is growth groups. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.380 We meet during the week 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.799 in groups 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.519 to think about 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.279 how God's word 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.120 actually applies 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:55.120 to our lives. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.960 That might not be 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.400 your bag 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:57.920 and that's okay. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.500 You don't need 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.299 to sign up 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.640 to those 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.420 if you don't want to. 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.059 But if you think 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.819 you'd find it helpful 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.460 to be in a group 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.799 like that, 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.539 please do sign up. 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.720 We'd love to plug you in. 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.259 And if you are 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.140 in one of those groups, 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.259 as you meet this week, 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.079 please be honest 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.880 with each other. 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.059 Can you think 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.519 about those three questions 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.299 that I've asked 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.339 and be honest 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.240 with how you're doing 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.660 with each of them 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.559 so that we might be able 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.559 to pray for one another 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.940 as we apply God's word 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.960 to our lives. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.359 Just as we finish, 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.500 remember where we started. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.319 It was with my sister-in-law's 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.140 Harry Potter book 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.099 worth so much more 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.819 than she possibly 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.559 could have imagined. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.980 If we go away 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.839 thinking anything 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.519 this morning, 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:40.059 as we see 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.180 what Jesus has done 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.960 for us, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.319 as we consider 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.019 these chapters 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.859 of John's gospel 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.599 that we've been in 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:47.259 over the last few weeks, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.920 as we consider 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.500 how we would 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.640 respond to that, 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.900 just go away 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.359 with this. 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.559 A bottle of expensive 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.640 perfume poured out 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.559 in service of him 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.400 is nothing 00:27:57.400 --> 00:28:00.059 compared to the love 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.200 that he poured out 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:03.200 in dying for us. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:18.440 is nothing 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.600 making me happy.