Devotion and Sacrifice: Preparing for Resurrection
Summary
In today's reflection, we journey through the poignant narrative of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, a family deeply cherished by Jesus. As we approach the final days of Lent, we find ourselves in Bethany, where Jesus is honored with a dinner at the home of Lazarus, whom He had previously raised from the dead. This gathering is not just a meal but a profound moment of devotion and foreshadowing. Mary, in an act of deep humility and love, anoints Jesus' feet with an expensive perfume, filling the house with its fragrance. This act of worship and sacrifice is met with criticism from Judas Iscariot, who questions the waste of such a valuable resource. However, Jesus defends Mary's actions, recognizing them as preparation for His impending burial.
This narrative invites us to reflect on the themes of sacrifice, devotion, and the inevitability of death. Mary's act of anointing Jesus is not just a gesture of hospitality but a prophetic act acknowledging the sacrifice Jesus is about to make. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to offer in our devotion to Christ. Are we prepared to give our best, even when it seems extravagant or wasteful to others? This story also reminds us of the transient nature of life and the importance of preparing our hearts for the eternal.
As we continue through Lent, we are called to a season of self-denial and reflection, mirroring Jesus' own journey to the cross. It is a time to let go of our earthly attachments and focus on the spiritual renewal that comes through Christ's resurrection. Just as Mary prepared Jesus for His burial, we too must prepare ourselves for the new life that Easter promises. In doing so, we honor the sacrifice of Jesus and align ourselves with His mission of love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Devotion: Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is a profound expression of devotion and love. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice in our own lives to honor Christ. Are we prepared to give our best, even when it seems extravagant to others? [34:48]
2. Facing the Inevitability of Death: The narrative reminds us of the inevitability of death and the importance of preparing our hearts for the eternal. Just as Mary prepared Jesus for His burial, we too must prepare ourselves for the new life that Easter promises. [50:54]
3. The Significance of Sacrifice: Lent is a season of self-denial and reflection, mirroring Jesus' own journey to the cross. It is a time to let go of our earthly attachments and focus on the spiritual renewal that comes through Christ's resurrection. [48:36]
4. Understanding True Value: Judas' criticism of Mary's actions highlights a common misunderstanding of value. True value is not always measured in monetary terms but in the depth of love and devotion we show to Christ and others. [37:43]
5. Preparing for Resurrection: As we reflect on Jesus' impending death, we are reminded of the hope and renewal that comes with His resurrection. This season invites us to prepare our hearts for the transformation that Easter brings. [52:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Bethany Family
- [05:30] - Childhood Memories of Funerals
- [10:00] - Jesus' Connection with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus
- [15:45] - The Anointing at Bethany
- [20:30] - Judas' Criticism and Jesus' Response
- [25:00] - The Significance of Anointing
- [30:15] - Comparing Gospel Accounts of Anointing
- [35:00] - The Essence of Nard
- [40:00] - Mary's Act of Devotion
- [45:00] - The Cost of Sacrifice
- [50:00] - Preparing for Jesus' Burial
- [55:00] - Lent as a Season of Reflection
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What significant event had previously occurred in the life of Lazarus before the dinner in Bethany? How does this event set the stage for the gathering? [34:48]
2. Describe Mary's act of devotion during the dinner. What specific actions did she take, and how did others react to her actions? [34:48]
3. How does Judas Iscariot respond to Mary's actions, and what does the sermon suggest about his motives? [37:43]
4. What does Jesus say in response to Judas' criticism, and how does this relate to the theme of preparation for His burial? [37:43]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume symbolize in the context of the sermon? How does this act challenge common perceptions of value and sacrifice? [34:48]
2. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' statement about the poor always being present? What does this imply about priorities in devotion and service? [37:43]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Mary's actions foreshadow Jesus' impending death and burial? How does this connect to the broader themes of Lent and preparation? [50:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Lent as a season of self-denial and reflection? What parallels are drawn between Jesus' journey to the cross and the believer's spiritual journey? [50:54]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to make a significant sacrifice in your devotion to Christ. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [34:48]
2. Consider the ways in which you might be holding onto earthly attachments. What steps can you take during this Lenten season to let go and focus on spiritual renewal? [50:54]
3. How do you perceive the value of your offerings to God, whether they are financial, time, or talents? Are there areas where you feel challenged to give more extravagantly, like Mary? [34:48]
4. In what ways can you prepare your heart for the hope and renewal that Easter promises? Are there specific practices or reflections you can engage in to align with this season of preparation? [50:54]
5. How do you respond to criticism or misunderstanding from others when you make decisions based on your faith? What can you learn from Jesus' defense of Mary's actions? [37:43]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you can practice self-denial as a form of spiritual discipline. How can this practice help you grow closer to Christ during Lent? [50:54]
7. Think about someone in your life who may not understand the value of spiritual devotion. How can you share the significance of your faith journey with them in a meaningful way? [37:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Extravagant Devotion as True Worship
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is a profound expression of devotion and love. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice in our own lives to honor Christ. Mary's actions were not just about the physical act of anointing but were deeply symbolic of her understanding of Jesus' impending sacrifice. Her willingness to use something so valuable for Jesus demonstrates a heart fully devoted to Him, regardless of how others might perceive it. This act of worship invites us to reflect on our own expressions of devotion and whether we are willing to give our best to Christ, even when it seems extravagant to others. [34:48]
"Then Mary took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one valuable thing in your life that you can offer to Jesus today as an act of worship, even if others might see it as extravagant or wasteful?
Day 2: Embracing Mortality with Hope
The narrative reminds us of the inevitability of death and the importance of preparing our hearts for the eternal. Just as Mary prepared Jesus for His burial, we too must prepare ourselves for the new life that Easter promises. This story invites us to confront the reality of our mortality, not with fear, but with hope in the resurrection. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our time on earth is temporary and that we should focus on what truly matters. By preparing our hearts for the eternal, we align ourselves with the hope and renewal that comes with Christ's resurrection. [50:54]
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to prepare your heart for eternity today, and what changes might you need to make in your daily life to live with an eternal perspective?
Day 3: The Cost of True Sacrifice
Lent is a season of self-denial and reflection, mirroring Jesus' own journey to the cross. It is a time to let go of our earthly attachments and focus on the spiritual renewal that comes through Christ's resurrection. This period challenges us to examine what we hold onto tightly and what we might need to release to grow closer to God. The significance of sacrifice is not just in what we give up but in what we gain through spiritual renewal and deeper intimacy with Christ. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to reflect on the cost of true sacrifice and the transformation it brings. [48:36]
"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." (Romans 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one earthly attachment you feel called to let go of during this Lenten season, and how can releasing it help you grow closer to God?
Day 4: Redefining Value through Love
Judas' criticism of Mary's actions highlights a common misunderstanding of value. True value is not always measured in monetary terms but in the depth of love and devotion we show to Christ and others. This story challenges us to redefine what we consider valuable, focusing on the intangible aspects of love, sacrifice, and devotion. It invites us to look beyond material wealth and to invest in relationships and acts of kindness that reflect the heart of Christ. By understanding true value, we can live lives that prioritize love and devotion over material gain. [37:43]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to redefine what you consider valuable in your life, focusing more on love and devotion rather than material possessions?
Day 5: Preparing for the Promise of Resurrection
As we reflect on Jesus' impending death, we are reminded of the hope and renewal that comes with His resurrection. This season invites us to prepare our hearts for the transformation that Easter brings. The promise of resurrection is not just about life after death but about the new life we can experience here and now through Christ. By preparing for resurrection, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace, allowing it to renew and restore us. This preparation involves a conscious effort to align our lives with the hope and promise of Easter, embracing the new life that Christ offers. [52:50]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for the transformation and renewal that Easter promises, and how can you embrace the new life that Christ offers?
Quotes
"So if you guys want to turn to John chapter 12 for our text today, we'll get there in a few minutes. But we are, we finished Ruth, and we're kind of back on our lectionary track as we are finishing up the few weeks of Lent and getting into Easter. And so our text this week is Art of the Lectionary, and it makes great sense for where we're going to be in the next couple of weeks." [00:29:18]
"And as a kid, maybe 9 or 10, it was hard to know what the feelings were there, dealing with emotions. I mean, it's not something that my family was great about, and having the space to allow that thing to sink in. But I remember going to those services, whether they were the funeral service at like a church or at a funeral home, and I remember one in particular where finally the emotions hit, and I realized this person in my life is no longer there." [00:30:12]
"But I think the thing that I realized then and the thing that we still realize now is that I never saw death coming. You didn't know it. As a kid, you didn't expect it. You didn't know that your grandparents or relatives were sick. They didn't tell you as a kid. They wanted to let you have happy memories, not know things are going on. And so just suddenly you could pick it from school and have to start facing the loss of someone you love." [00:32:14]
"Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man who was raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor, and Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a 12-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from the essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance." [00:34:48]
"So at this familiar place, a stopover on the way to Jerusalem, we have this moment where they're coming to the Passover. They're going to celebrate at the temple in Jerusalem, but they're stopping at a local town that they've known and the family that they've loved once again and invited in of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. It says, Martha is serving. Lazarus is sitting back and eating with the disciples and Jesus, and Mary comes in to anoint." [00:35:51]
"And as with many things, when extravagance and money is used, there's always someone who's going to complain about it, right? And Judas is the one to do it. Judas, the one who would betray him, which always seems to be John's little note in here, is complaining. That perfume is expensive. Why waste it on Jesus' feet? Like, he's going to have smelly feet for a few days, probably, from this oil, but otherwise you could have sold that and given the money to the poor." [00:36:26]
"Now, John, our writer here, he notes, I mean, he really gets to dig in on Judas Iscariot, and it's like, Judas doesn't care about giving to the poor. He cares about trying to siphon off the top of the pot and says that Judas was a thief of their finances. But Jesus' rebuttal is to leave her alone. This is for his burial. They saw burial within the previous chapter of Lazarus and him come back." [00:36:58]
"And Jesus is looking ahead to this coming week and what he knows is going to lead to. He says, this is for my burial. You will always have the poor, but not me. Now, there I want to stop and just put a note. Some people take that to mean we can spend all that we want for church services and ignore the poor. And they point out to that and say, see, Jesus said, the poor is always going to be with us, so it's okay if we're doing everything for God's kingdom and spending all that we want for all the extravagance in the temple or for the pastor or for the playing and whatever." [00:37:41]
"And I was like, that's not the point of Jesus' making here. He's talking about himself for the last week of his life to say, short time for me being here. You always have opportunity to give and you will continue to do so. But for this one moment, Mary has chosen to anoint me. So looking at anointing, we actually have four anointings in the New Testament. And I question whether they are all the one event." [00:38:16]
"But here is the first moment where Jesus starts to repair his disciples for his death, foreshadowing of what the end of the week will bring. And he recognizes the honor and respect Jesus will be given by this act of Mary. A short glimpse of the weeping and mourning that will follow. So every time I read this passage, I'm like, what is that perfume, right? Y 'all want to know, what is it like? What does it smell like? What is the scent?" [00:44:03]
"But also, she breaks down social norms for a Jewish woman and letting her hair down. She lets her hair out and uses it to wipe the excess from his feet. Now ladies with long hair, is that something you want to do to use as a wash rag for someone's feet? I don't, I don't think so. But that's how much that she had devotion for Christ. Giving up her pride, her beauty, and using her hair as a wash rag." [00:47:27]
"Jesus answers the complainers. When Judas speaks up, when some of the other stories that we have, the religious leaders, the disciples start to complain, Jesus says, leave her alone. She's given me something of great value to serve me. This act is in preparation for my burial. People are like, what? That doesn't make any sense. Jesus, you are supposed to be in command. You're supposed to be the king. You're supposed to be the Messiah that comes in and tears out the Romans." [00:49:13]
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