Experiencing the Transformative Power of Jesus' Anointing
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey through the story of Jesus' anointing, as recorded in the Gospels. This narrative, rich with historical and spiritual significance, invites us to experience the events not just as a sequence of actions but as a profound encounter with the divine. The story of Jesus' betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection is not merely a formula for salvation but a real-life event that God wants us to trust and understand deeply. We explored the different Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing, noting the variations and the unique perspectives each offers. This exercise was not about intellectual analysis but about immersing ourselves in the story, experiencing it through all our senses, and allowing it to speak to our hearts.
We reflected on the reactions of the various characters in the story: the men who were angry and self-righteous, the woman who was fully surrendered and worshipful, and Judas, who took matters into his own hands. Each character offers a mirror for our own spiritual journeys, challenging us to examine our hearts and our responses to Jesus. The woman's act of anointing Jesus was an extravagant expression of worship, a reminder of the joy and peace that come from recognizing Jesus as both King and God. In contrast, Judas' impatience and lack of trust in Jesus' plan serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking control into our own hands.
Jesus' response to the woman and the men in the room is a powerful lesson in grace and acceptance. He saw beyond the surface, recognizing the woman's heart and correcting the men's judgmental attitudes. This challenges us to orient our hearts towards God, adopting Jesus' attitudes and behaviors, and extending grace to others as we have received it. The story calls us to trust in the transformative power of the Gospel, not just for ourselves but for everyone, and to partner with God in bringing His kingdom into the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Jesus' anointing is a call to experience the Gospel not just intellectually but through all our senses, allowing it to transform our hearts and deepen our trust in God's plan. [07:28]
- The woman's act of anointing Jesus is a profound expression of worship, reminding us of the joy and peace that come from recognizing Jesus as both King and God, and the call to live a life of extravagant worship. [17:47]
- Judas' impatience and decision to take matters into his own hands highlight the dangers of not trusting in Jesus' timing and plan, urging us to wait on God and seek His wisdom in our lives. [20:14]
- Jesus' response to the woman and the men in the room teaches us about grace and acceptance, challenging us to see others as God sees them and to extend the same grace we have received. [23:15]
- The Gospel calls us to trust in its transformative power for everyone, not just ourselves, and to partner with God in bringing His kingdom into the lives of others, seeing them through the lens of grace and love. [24:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:09] - Introduction to the Story
[03:52] - Exploring the Gospel Accounts
[05:11] - The Anointing Event
[06:50] - Questions and Reflections
[07:28] - Experiencing the Story
[09:42] - Setting the Scene
[10:26] - The Tension in Jerusalem
[11:22] - The Anointing at Simon's House
[12:08] - The Woman's Act of Worship
[13:10] - Jesus' Response
[13:53] - Judas' Betrayal
[15:28] - Reflections on the Characters
[20:14] - Lessons from Judas
[23:15] - Jesus' Grace and Acceptance
[24:24] - Trusting the Gospel's Power
[31:57] - Final Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 26:6-13
- Mark 14:3-9
- John 12:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. How do the different Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing vary in their details and settings? ([05:11])
2. What was the reaction of the men in the room to the woman's act of anointing Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to them? ([12:08])
3. What was Judas' response to the events, and what actions did he take following the anointing? ([13:53])
4. How does the sermon describe the atmosphere and emotions in the room during the anointing event? ([11:22])
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the woman's act of anointing Jesus symbolize in terms of worship and recognition of Jesus' identity? ([17:47])
2. How does the sermon suggest that the reactions of the characters in the story serve as mirrors for our own spiritual journeys? ([15:28])
3. In what ways does Jesus' response to the woman and the men in the room teach us about grace and acceptance? ([23:15])
4. How does the sermon challenge us to trust in the transformative power of the Gospel for ourselves and others? ([24:24])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you, like the men in the story, may have judged someone else's act of worship. How can you adopt a more grace-filled perspective? ([23:15])
2. Consider the woman's act of extravagant worship. What is one way you can express your worship to Jesus more fully in your daily life? ([17:47])
3. Have you ever found yourself, like Judas, taking matters into your own hands due to impatience? How can you practice waiting on God's timing this week? ([20:14])
4. How can you partner with God in bringing His kingdom into the lives of others, seeing them through the lens of grace and love? ([24:24])
5. Identify a person in your life who may need to experience the grace and acceptance that Jesus demonstrated. What is one practical step you can take to extend grace to them this week? ([23:15])
6. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Which character in the story do you most identify with today, and why? How can this awareness guide your spiritual growth? ([22:21])
7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the Gospel's power to transform not only your life but also the lives of those around you? ([24:24])
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing the Gospel Through Our Senses
The story of Jesus' anointing invites believers to engage with the Gospel not just intellectually but through a full sensory experience. This approach allows the narrative to penetrate deeper into the heart, transforming one's understanding and trust in God's plan. By immersing oneself in the story, one can appreciate the historical and spiritual significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as a profound encounter with the divine. This sensory engagement challenges individuals to move beyond mere analysis and to allow the Gospel to speak to their hearts, fostering a deeper connection with God. [07:28]
"Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45, ESV)
Reflection: How can you engage more fully with the Gospel story today, using all your senses to deepen your understanding and trust in God's plan?
Day 2: Extravagant Worship as a Response to Jesus
The woman's act of anointing Jesus is a powerful expression of worship, demonstrating the joy and peace that come from recognizing Jesus as both King and God. Her actions serve as a reminder of the call to live a life of extravagant worship, fully surrendered to Jesus. This act of devotion challenges believers to examine their own expressions of worship and to consider how they can offer their lives as a fragrant offering to God. The woman's example encourages a heart posture of adoration and reverence, inviting others to experience the transformative power of worship. [17:47]
"And 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 way you can express extravagant worship to Jesus today, recognizing Him as both King and God in your life?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Timing and Plan
Judas' impatience and decision to take matters into his own hands highlight the dangers of not trusting in Jesus' timing and plan. His actions serve as a cautionary tale, urging believers to wait on God and seek His wisdom in their lives. This narrative challenges individuals to examine areas where they may be tempted to control outcomes rather than trusting in God's sovereignty. By learning from Judas' mistakes, believers are encouraged to cultivate patience and reliance on God's perfect timing, trusting that His plans are for their ultimate good. [20:14]
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's timing. How can you practice patience and seek His wisdom in this situation today?
Day 4: Embracing Grace and Acceptance
Jesus' response to the woman and the men in the room teaches a powerful lesson in grace and acceptance. He saw beyond the surface, recognizing the woman's heart and correcting the men's judgmental attitudes. This narrative challenges believers to orient their hearts towards God, adopting Jesus' attitudes and behaviors, and extending grace to others as they have received it. By embracing grace and acceptance, individuals are called to see others as God sees them, fostering a community of love and understanding. [23:15]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you have judged harshly. How can you extend grace and acceptance to them today, seeing them as God sees them?
Day 5: Partnering with God in Transformative Love
The Gospel calls believers to trust in its transformative power for everyone, not just themselves. This narrative invites individuals to partner with God in bringing His kingdom into the lives of others, seeing them through the lens of grace and love. By embracing this call, believers are encouraged to actively participate in God's redemptive work, sharing the hope and love of the Gospel with those around them. This partnership with God challenges individuals to live out their faith in tangible ways, impacting the world for His glory. [24:24]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you partner with God today to bring His kingdom into the life of someone around you, seeing them through the lens of grace and love?
Quotes
1) "The betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus are not an equation, but an equation in a salvation formula. What did he just say, right? But I want you to listen to that again. The idea that the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus is not just something that, oh, yes, that's how we're saved. It's a real-life event that took place in history. And this story... is something that God wants us to trust. Not only did it happen, but the power and the impact of this part of Jesus' life, not that all of it doesn't matter, but this part in particular, it's not just, oh, so that we can be saved and go to heaven. There's more to it than that. And I just want us to kind of take... Take a moment today." [02:09] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Today I want to invite you to come along with me and try to experience this part of the story as if we were there when it happened. To see what they saw, to hear what they heard, to smell what they smelled, and to touch what they touched. To taste what they tasted, and to feel what they felt. We'll have to do this in our imaginations, right? We cannot recreate the first century right here in our auditorium. So I'm asking you to lean into your inner child. For some of us, it's not nearly as hard as others. And people say, well, Tracy, you've never left your inner child. And there's a lot of truth to that, right? But I'm going to ask you to do that. Lean into that inner child, so to speak, and take in the experience Jesus and his disciples had." [07:28] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "There was electricity in the air. Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside were full of pilgrims from near and far. And the questions on their hearts, could the rumors be true? Could this rabbi from Galilee, could he be the one? Could he be the Messiah? Just two days earlier, the crowds were singing, singing praises to God, because he was coming to the holy city, to Jerusalem. But then, the religious leaders confronted him. He had great answers. They seemed jealous. They seemed threatened. And he predicted the destruction of the temple. Excitement. Confusion. Hope. Oppression. Oppression. Back to the, back to the feast. The Passover. It is just two days away. And while the crowds are celebrating, the religious elite are deliberating. They're scheming how to kill Jesus and how to do it without starting a riot." [09:42] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "She pours the perfume on Jesus's head. Men began to shout at her. They began to rebuke her. How dare you, they say. What a waste. How stupid can you be? How could you do this? You could have sold that jar of perfume, and it could have provided for the poor. Then he spoke. Leave her alone. Everyone became quiet. Why are you bothering her? What is she? What she has done to me is a beautiful thing. Then Jesus said, some confusing thing. The poor you will have with you always, and you can help them anytime you want, but you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand. Then she said, what? She broke the jar. The aroma of the perfume fills the air. Men began to shout at To prepare me for my burial." [12:08] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "As I prepared this message. What stood out to me. Was the different reactions of the people. In the room. I'm not sure why that was the case. I'm not sure. But I know what God's trying to tell me. And I'll get to that at the end. But let me just stop. And let's just take an observation of the different characters in the story. First let's talk about the men. Right? They were mad. Angry. Right? Maybe a bit self-righteous. Okay. Maybe a lot. Maybe very self-righteous. In their nearness to Jesus. They missed who he was. He had become common to them, I think. Special. But maybe common. Has that ever happened to you in your spiritual life? Have you ever opened up the scripture. There's just. There's no spark in it. Or maybe in your relationship with Jesus. You know. Your prayer time. You find yourself just saying all the same words." [15:28] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "How about the woman? He didn't seem to care what the men thought. He had experienced Kingdom. He'd experienced how Jesus can bring life out of the chaos of her life. And she was sold out. Totally surrendered. She saw Jesus as her king. And her God. He was there to worship him. He was playing to an audience of one. If you're a follower of Jesus. Maybe you remember that moment that you realize that Jesus was more. That that that Jesus. Yeah, he's king, but he's God. And you realized what he's done for you. And how he's taken you. From your sin and given you life, not just for eternity, but beginning now. Right. And maybe there's maybe maybe you can remember that thrill. That you had. And the joy. And the peace." [17:47] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Do we really believe Jesus' good news, that He brings chaos, I'm sorry, He doesn't bring chaos, He brings life out of chaos? I mean, right in the very beginning, God said, He spoke what? He spoke everything there is into existence out of nothing, and then He ordered it out of chaos and brought life into the world. I mean, you can see it in Jesus' whole life. Jesus comes into the world, into the chaos of the brokenness of this world, and what does He do? He gives His life, right, for us, for our forgiveness of sins, but then what? He brings back life, and then it's that resurrected life that He has to offer us. He brings back life, and then He brings back life, and then He brings back life, and then He brings back life, and then He brings back life, and then He brings back life, for now and all of eternity. Do we believe that gospel? Because if we do, do we trust that the gospel, the blood of Jesus Christ, is enough, not just for me, but for everyone else?" [26:24] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "As we oriented our hearts towards Jesus, we take on His attitudes and behaviors. And it's not enough for us just to think about ourselves, but how do we see others? Do we see them? Do we? I know I said this. I said this before. Do we emphasize with their brokenness? Do we love them and see them the way Jesus does? Because, let me tell you, I think a lot of times, we as Christians want to do better, but sometimes we let the beast in us not do so good. Because, here's the thing. Do we see who? Do we see who they are becoming in Christ, or do we see the chaos? Do, okay, this is the part that really hammered me this week. Am I willing to confront the selfishness in me to protect others from the beast in me? And how I want to treat them. Instead, treat them the way Jesus does. Is treating them and wants to treat them." [32:57] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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