Contrasts of Betrayal and Devotion in Mark

Devotional

Day 1: The Tension of Betrayal and Devotion

The juxtaposition of Judas' betrayal and the woman's anointing in Mark 14 highlights the stark difference between superficial allegiance and genuine devotion. Judas, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples, chose to betray Him for personal gain. This act of betrayal was driven by fear and a desire for control, reflecting a superficial allegiance that crumbled under pressure. In contrast, the unnamed woman, considered an outsider, demonstrated profound love and sacrifice by anointing Jesus with an expensive jar of pure nard. Her act of devotion was not only a gesture of love but also a preparation for Jesus' impending death and burial. This contrast challenges us to examine the authenticity of our own faith and devotion. Are we like Judas, holding back and betraying Jesus for our own gain, or are we like the woman, willing to give our all in genuine devotion? [04:47]

Mark 14:3-9 (ESV): "And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, 'Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they scolded her. But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt torn between following Jesus wholeheartedly and pursuing your own interests. How can you choose genuine devotion over superficial allegiance today?

Day 2: Extravagant Acts of Faith

The woman's act of breaking the alabaster jar and anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a powerful symbol of total surrender. This act of devotion was not just a gesture but a preparation for Jesus' burial, showing her deep understanding and love. True discipleship often involves extravagant acts of faith and devotion, where we give our best to Jesus without holding back. The woman's willingness to use the entire contents of the jar in one act signifies total surrender and devotion. This story challenges us to reflect on our own lives and ask whether we are willing to give Jesus our all. It’s a call to take what we have—our resources, our time, our love—and use it for Him, recognizing that He is worthy of our utmost devotion. [11:36]

2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 3: Value Hidden in Plain Sight

Just as the woman recognized the value of Jesus, we are reminded to see the divine worth in what may seem ordinary or overlooked. The story of the Roman artifact found in a Goodwill store serves as a metaphor for recognizing the priceless value of Jesus, who is often hidden in plain sight. This calls us to be attentive and discerning in our spiritual journey. We must train our eyes to see the divine in the mundane and recognize the worth of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This awareness can transform our daily interactions and help us live with a deeper sense of purpose and devotion. [14:59]

Matthew 13:44 (ESV): "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

Reflection: Think of a situation or person in your life that you may have overlooked or undervalued. How can you begin to see and appreciate the divine worth in them today?

Day 4: Daily Acts of Devotion

While grand gestures of faith are significant, it is often the simple, everyday acts of love and devotion that leave a lasting impact. The story of Fran Farley illustrates how consistent, small acts of kindness and love can profoundly affect those around us. We are encouraged to integrate our faith into daily life, making every moment an opportunity to serve and honor God. These daily acts of devotion, though they may seem small, accumulate to create a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus. By focusing on the little things, we can make a big difference in the lives of others and grow in our own spiritual journey. [18:24]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Identify one small act of kindness or love you can do today for someone in your life. How can you make this a regular part of your daily routine?

Day 5: Giving Jesus Our All

The hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" encapsulates the call to give Jesus our everything. Reflecting on whether Jesus has our all is a crucial exercise in our spiritual growth. We are invited to identify areas in our lives where we may be holding back and to surrender them fully to Jesus, recognizing that He is worthy of our complete devotion. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to live for Jesus in every aspect of our lives. By giving Jesus our all, we acknowledge His lordship and allow His love and grace to transform us from the inside out. [20:13]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily life and identify one area where you have not fully surrendered to Jesus. What steps can you take today to begin surrendering this area to Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

As we near the conclusion of our Defiance sermon series, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark. The narrative has shifted from Jesus' ministry in Galilee to His final week in Jerusalem, where tensions with the religious leaders have reached a boiling point. Mark 14 opens with a behind-the-scenes look at the religious leaders plotting Jesus' death, driven by their fear of losing power and control. Their dilemma is not whether to kill Jesus, but how to do it without inciting a riot during the crowded Passover festival. The solution comes when Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, agrees to betray Him.

In stark contrast to Judas' betrayal, Mark presents a story of profound devotion. Jesus is in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, when an unnamed woman interrupts the meal to anoint Jesus with an expensive jar of pure nard. This act of extravagant love and sacrifice stands in sharp contrast to the betrayal and rejection by those who should have been closest to Jesus. The woman’s act is a powerful symbol of true discipleship, showing that those who are often considered outsiders can be the ones who truly understand and honor Jesus.

The woman's anointing of Jesus is not just an act of devotion but also a preparation for His impending death and burial. Her willingness to break the jar, using its entire contents in one act, signifies total surrender and devotion. This story challenges us to reflect on our own lives and ask whether we are willing to give Jesus our all. It’s a call to take what we have—our resources, our time, our love—and use it for Him, recognizing that He is worthy of our utmost devotion.

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Key Takeaways

1. us&t=287s'>[04:47]
2. Extravagant Acts of Faith: The woman's act of breaking the alabaster jar and anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a powerful symbol of total surrender. It reminds us that true discipleship often involves extravagant acts of faith and devotion, where we give our best to Jesus without holding back. This act of anointing was not just a gesture but a preparation for Jesus' burial, showing her deep understanding and love.

3. Value Hidden in Plain Sight: Just as the woman recognized the value of Jesus, we are reminded to see the divine worth in what may seem ordinary or overlooked. The story of the Roman artifact found in a Goodwill store serves as a metaphor for recognizing the priceless value of Jesus, who is often hidden in plain sight. This calls us to be attentive and discerning in our spiritual journey.

4. Daily Acts of Devotion: While grand gestures of faith are significant, it is often the simple, everyday acts of love and devotion that leave a lasting impact. The story of Fran Farley illustrates how consistent, small acts of kindness and love can profoundly affect those around us. We are encouraged to integrate our faith into daily life, making every moment an opportunity to serve and honor God.

5. Giving Jesus Our All: The hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" encapsulates the call to give Jesus our everything. Reflecting on whether Jesus has our all is a crucial exercise in our spiritual growth. We are invited to identify areas in our lives where we may be holding back and to surrender them fully to Jesus, recognizing that He is worthy of our complete devotion.

### [04:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - The Tipping Point in Jesus' Ministry
[03:08] - The Religious Leaders' Dilemma
[04:47] - Judas' Betrayal
[06:36] - The Anointing at Bethany
[08:18] - Jesus with the Outsiders
[09:51] - The Alabaster Jar
[11:36] - The Woman's Act of Devotion
[13:21] - Recognizing Hidden Value
[14:59] - The Priceless Artifact
[16:38] - Jesus' Worthiness
[18:24] - Daily Acts of Devotion
[20:13] - Giving Jesus Our All

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the religious leaders' main concerns about arresting Jesus during the Passover festival? ([03:08])
Describe the significance of the alabaster jar and its contents that the woman used to anoint Jesus. ([09:51])
How did Jesus' disciples react to the woman's act of anointing Him, and what was Jesus' response to their reaction? ([11:36])
What does the story of the Roman artifact found in a Goodwill store illustrate in relation to recognizing Jesus' value? ([14:59])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus was so shocking to the first-century readers? ([04:47])
How does the woman's act of breaking the alabaster jar symbolize total surrender and devotion to Jesus? ([09:51])
In what ways does the woman's anointing of Jesus prepare Him for His impending death and burial? ([11:36])
How does the story of Fran Farley illustrate the impact of daily acts of devotion compared to grand gestures? ([18:24])

Application Questions

Reflect on the contrast between Judas' betrayal and the woman's devotion. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with superficial allegiance versus genuine devotion to Jesus? How can you address these areas? ([04:47])
The woman gave her most valuable possession to Jesus. What is something valuable in your life that you might be holding back from giving to Jesus? How can you take steps to surrender it to Him? ([09:51])
Jesus commended the woman for her act of devotion. How can you incorporate acts of devotion, both big and small, into your daily life to honor Jesus? ([11:36])
The story of the Roman artifact reminds us to recognize the value of Jesus in our lives. Are there aspects of your spiritual journey that you might be overlooking or undervaluing? How can you become more attentive and discerning? ([14:59])
Fran Farley's life was marked by consistent, small acts of kindness. Think of a specific person in your life who could benefit from your daily acts of love and kindness. What can you do this week to show them God's love? ([18:24])
The hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" calls us to give Jesus our all. Reflect on your life and identify any areas where you might be holding back. What steps can you take to fully surrender these areas to Jesus? ([20:13])
How can you take what you have—your resources, time, and love—and use it for Jesus in your workplace, neighborhood, or community? Be specific about one action you can take this week. ([18:24])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "And so for us, it's how do we take what we have, where we are, and how do we use it, to give it to God? How do we do it for him? Where we work, in our neighborhoods, in the grocery stores, in our families, in our communities, wherever God has us. How do we take what we have and do it for him? Because the reality is that he is worthy of it all." [19:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so the question that I want us to leave with today is this, is as you reflect on this passage, ask yourself, does Jesus have my all? Does Jesus have my all? And if the answer is yes, that's fabulous. But I would imagine that if you're like me, there's probably some areas in your life where maybe Jesus doesn't quite have it all." [20:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so for us, it's not this grand news. But for the first century writers or readers, this would have been a moment in the story where they gasped, because it was shocking. It was Judas doing the unthinkable. And here's why. Because the relationship that disciples had with their rabbis was a stronger bond, a stronger connection than that of a father and a son." [05:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so we see in this moment a woman who interrupts the meal, and she brings with her a jar, an alabaster jar, of very expensive perfume. It's made of pure nard. And now nard is a rare plant that comes from the United States. It's a very expensive perfume. It comes from India. So it wasn't a locally sourced thing." [08:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so Jesus commends her for her faith, commends her for getting it right. And she says, Jesus says, leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare my burial." [16:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And so what we see here is Mark is ultimately, he's making us a sandwich. And I don't know about you, but sandwiches, like the bread is good, but it's the stuff in the middle that matters the most, that makes the sandwich good. And so Mark is essentially putting opposites together. On one hand, the bread of this passage is people who are here to be against Jesus." [06:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so for this woman, she sees the value hidden in plain sight. And it reminds me of the, this story from a few years ago, and it actually happened here in Austin. A woman by the name of Laura Young was thrifting. Any Goodwill shoppers out there? A couple of us? Okay, good. We love thrifting and trying to find good deals, but we've never experienced something quite like this." [13:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so for us, it's how do we take what we have, where we are, and how do we use it, to give it to God? How do we do it for him? Where we work, in our neighborhoods, in the grocery stores, in our families, in our communities, wherever God has us. How do we take what we have and do it for him? Because the reality is that he is worthy of it all." [19:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so the question that I want us to leave with today is this, is as you reflect on this passage, ask yourself, does Jesus have my all? Does Jesus have my all? And if the answer is yes, that's fabulous. But I would imagine that if you're like me, there's probably some areas in your life where maybe Jesus doesn't quite have it all." [20:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so for us, it's not this grand news. But for the first century writers or readers, this would have been a moment in the story where they gasped, because it was shocking. It was Judas doing the unthinkable. And here's why. Because the relationship that disciples had with their rabbis was a stronger bond, a stronger connection than that of a father and a son." [05:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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