Extravagant Devotion: A Lasting Legacy of Love

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Timing in Redemption

In Mark 14:1-9, the events unfold during the Passover, a time deeply rooted in Jewish history as a celebration of deliverance and sacrifice. This timing is not coincidental but divinely orchestrated, as Jesus, the Lamb of God, enters His passion during this significant feast. It symbolizes His role in delivering humanity from sin, highlighting the meticulous planning of God in the history of redemption. The narrative begins with the chief priests and scribes plotting against Jesus, yet their fear of public uproar delays their plans. This divine timing underscores the sovereignty of God, reminding us that His plans unfold perfectly, even amidst human schemes. [06:07]

Exodus 12:26-27 (ESV): "And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ And the people bowed their heads and worshiped."

Reflection: How can you trust in God's timing in a current situation where you feel anxious or uncertain?

Day 2: Extravagant Devotion Beyond Norms

Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly spikenard oil, worth a year's wages, is a profound demonstration of love and devotion that transcends societal norms and expectations. Her willingness to give her most valuable possession challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for Christ. This act of devotion is not about the material value but the heart's posture towards Jesus. It invites us to reflect on our own lives and the extent of our devotion to Christ, encouraging us to break free from societal expectations and focus on what truly matters. [12:49]

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 valuable thing (time, resources, or talent) you can offer to Jesus today as an act of devotion?

Day 3: Misunderstood Acts of Worship

Mary's act of anointing Jesus is met with criticism from those present, who see it as a waste. This highlights how acts of devotion can be misunderstood by others. Jesus' defense of her actions reminds us that true worship is not about public approval but about honoring God with our whole heart. It challenges us to remain steadfast in our devotion, even when others do not understand or appreciate our actions. This passage encourages us to focus on God's perspective rather than seeking validation from people. [17:53]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel misunderstood in your devotion to God? How can you seek His approval above others?

Day 4: Balancing Service and Worship

Jesus' statement about the poor being always present is not a dismissal of their needs but a call to balance our acts of service with moments of worship and devotion. It challenges us to recognize the unique opportunities to honor Christ in our lives. While serving others is crucial, we must also prioritize our relationship with Jesus, ensuring that our service flows from a place of worship and love for Him. This balance is essential for a healthy spiritual life, where both service and worship are integral parts of our faith journey. [22:18]

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to balance acts of service with intentional moments of worship and devotion?

Day 5: Leaving a Lasting Impact

Jesus ensures that Mary's act of love will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached, highlighting the eternal significance of our actions when done in love and devotion to Christ. This encourages us to live lives that leave a lasting impact, not through grand gestures but through genuine acts of love and devotion. Our actions, when rooted in love for Christ, have the power to transcend time and influence others for generations. This passage invites us to consider the legacy we are leaving and how our devotion to Christ can inspire others. [28:28]

Hebrews 6:10 (ESV): "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."

Reflection: What is one small act of love or service you can do today that could have a lasting impact on someone else's life?

Sermon Summary

In Mark 14:1-9, we encounter a profound moment in the life of Jesus, set against the backdrop of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This passage marks a transition from the exaltation of Jesus in the Olivet Discourse to the somber reality of His impending suffering, known as the "passio magnum" or great passion. The narrative begins with the chief priests and scribes plotting to capture and kill Jesus, but fearing a public uproar, they decide to delay their plans. In the midst of this tension, we find a beautiful act of devotion by an unnamed woman, identified in John's gospel as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

Mary enters the house of Simon the leper, carrying an alabaster flask of costly spikenard oil, worth a year's wages. She breaks the flask and anoints Jesus' head, an act that draws sharp criticism from those present. They see it as a waste, arguing that the oil could have been sold to help the poor. However, Jesus defends Mary, recognizing her act as a preparation for His burial. He emphasizes that while the poor will always be present, His time with them is limited. Mary's act of love and sacrifice is so significant that Jesus declares it will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.

This passage challenges us to consider the value we place on our devotion to Christ. Mary's extravagant gift, given at great personal cost, stands in stark contrast to the betrayal of Judas, who would soon sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Her act of love is a reminder that true devotion often requires sacrifice and that our love for Christ should be our highest priority.

Key Takeaways

1. The Significance of Timing: The narrative unfolds during the Passover, a time of deliverance and sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, enters His passion during this significant feast, symbolizing His role in delivering humanity from sin. This timing underscores the divine orchestration of events in the history of redemption. [06:07]
2. Extravagant Devotion: Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil demonstrates a profound love and devotion that transcends societal norms and expectations. Her willingness to give her most valuable possession challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for Christ. [12:49]
3. Misunderstood Sacrifice: The criticism Mary faces highlights how acts of devotion can be misunderstood by others. Jesus' defense of her actions reminds us that true worship is not about public approval but about honoring God with our whole heart. [17:53]
4. The Ever-Present Poor: Jesus' statement about the poor being always present is not a dismissal of their needs but a call to balance our acts of service with moments of worship and devotion. It challenges us to recognize the unique opportunities to honor Christ in our lives. [22:18]
5. A Lasting Memorial: Jesus ensures that Mary's act of love will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. This highlights the eternal significance of our actions when done in love and devotion to Christ, encouraging us to live lives that leave a lasting impact. [28:28]
** [28:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Plot Against Jesus
[01:24] - Anointing at Bethany
[02:19] - Prayer for Illumination
[03:18] - Transition from Exaltation to Suffering
[04:11] - The Passion of Christ
[05:06] - Foreshadowing of Suffering
[06:07] - Passover and Unleavened Bread
[06:55] - Significance of the Passover
[08:33] - Understanding the Passover Week
[09:12] - The Plot of the Sanhedrin
[11:20] - The Sandwich Technique
[12:06] - The Alabaster Flask
[13:43] - The Cost of Devotion
[15:19] - Breaking Social Norms
[16:55] - Indignation and Criticism
[18:52] - Extravagant Love vs. Betrayal
[22:18] - The Ever-Present Poor
[25:11] - Doing What We Can
[27:01] - Anointing for Burial
[28:28] - A Lasting Memorial

Sermon Clips

“After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. But they said, ‘Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.’” [00:00:33]

“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’” [00:00:58]

“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.’” [00:01:33]

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” [00:02:02]

“The most important feast of Old Testament Judaism was the celebration of the Passover because it commemorated God’s deliverance of His people from the hand of the Egyptians and sparing the children of Israel from the Angel of Death or vengeance that was visited upon the Egyptians.” [00:06:40]

“But again I say it is fitting that in terms of the history of redemption, the Lamb of God should enter into His suffering as He is about to be slain, that by His blood the judgment of God would pass over His people.” [00:09:18]

“Mary comes in and interrupts the meal, which was also in terms of Jewish protocol and etiquette, a no-no. The only time a woman was allowed to interrupt a meal of men was that if she were serving the meal, not just coming in and visiting or interrupting the conversation.” [00:15:28]

“Now we are told that when she did this, there were some who were indignant, that is they were according to the Greek here, not just annoyed or irked but their irritation had risen to the level of fury when they witnessed this episode, and they were indignant among themselves, and they said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’” [00:17:28]

“It’s interesting to me again in the irony in this chapter where we see this interlocked with the value that Jesus had to Judas, who sells Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. I don’t know what the balance is between three hundred denarii and thirty pieces of silver.” [00:19:01]

“The poor are always going to be here and you will have manifold opportunities to minister to the poor, and that’s what I want you to do in My name, but right now we’re in a time of crisis. My presence is limited to a very short term. And she has done what she could.” [00:24:40]

“Remember on the Easter morning, what were the women doing? They were on their way to the tomb to complete the task of anointing the corpse of Jesus. But Mary comes with her most priceless possession and gives all of it to anoint Him before He dies.” [00:28:56]

“And He ends this discussion with these words, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told as a memorial to her. I’m not going to let the world forget what you’ve just witnessed.’” [00:30:23]

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