Extravagant Love: A Testament to Devotion
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound impact of extravagant love and worship, as exemplified by Mary in John 12:1-11. This passage recounts the story of Mary anointing Jesus with a costly perfume, an act that was both financially and socially extravagant. This act of love was not just a display of gratitude for Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead, but also a prophetic preparation for Jesus' impending crucifixion. Mary's actions challenge us to consider what Jesus is worth to us and how we express our love and devotion to Him.
Extravagant love, as demonstrated by Mary, is characterized by its lavishness, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond for the object of our affection. It is a love that is expressed in grand gestures and sacrificial acts, often without regard for cost or societal norms. This kind of love is transformative, leaving a lasting impact on both the giver and the receiver.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was seen by some as wasteful, but Jesus defended her, recognizing the depth of her love and devotion. This story teaches us that true worship and love for Jesus will always cost us something, whether it be financially, socially, or personally. It also reminds us that there will always be good-sounding reasons not to love Jesus extravagantly, but we must choose to prioritize our love for Him above all else.
As we reflect on this story, we are called to examine our own lives and consider how we can express our love for Jesus in extravagant ways. Whether it be through acts of service, financial giving, or simply spending time in His presence, our love for Jesus should be evident in all that we do. Let us strive to love Jesus with all that we have, just as Mary did, and let our lives be a testament to His worth and glory.
### Key Takeaways
1. Extravagant Love Costs Something: True love for Jesus will always come with a cost, whether it be financial, social, or personal. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a significant financial sacrifice, but it demonstrated her deep love and devotion. We must be willing to give our best to Jesus, even when it costs us something significant. [36:39]
2. There Will Always Be Good Reasons Not to Love Extravagantly: The world will always offer seemingly good reasons not to love Jesus extravagantly. Judas and the other disciples questioned Mary's actions, suggesting the money could have been used for the poor. However, true love for Jesus requires us to prioritize Him above all else, even when it doesn't make sense to others. [50:06]
3. Extravagant Love Defies Societal Norms: Mary's act of letting down her hair and anointing Jesus' feet was socially scandalous, but she didn't let societal norms stop her from expressing her love. We must be willing to defy societal expectations and norms to show our love for Jesus, even when it makes us uncomfortable or draws criticism. [47:32]
4. Extravagant Love is Transformative: The love that Mary showed Jesus was transformative, leaving a lasting impact on both her and those who witnessed it. Our acts of love and worship should also be transformative, not only for ourselves but for those around us. When we love Jesus extravagantly, it has the power to change lives and draw others to Him. [53:12]
5. Extravagant Love Reflects Jesus' Love for Us: Jesus' love for us was the ultimate act of extravagance, as He gave His life for our salvation. Mary's act of anointing Jesus was a reflection of this extravagant love. We are called to mirror Jesus' love in our own lives, loving Him and others with the same depth, generosity, and selflessness. [56:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:39] - The Power of the Word
[37:52] - Orphanage Project
[39:14] - Land and Bureaucracy
[40:34] - South Campus and Cartel Story
[41:53] - Building Challenges
[43:07] - Cartel Protection
[44:23] - Extravagant Love
[47:32] - Mary’s Act of Worship
[50:06] - Judas’ Reaction
[51:32] - What is Jesus Worth to You?
[53:12] - Jesus’ Authority Over Death
[54:36] - Jesus’ Final Week
[56:06] - The Scandal of Extravagant Love
[57:34] - Jesus Defends Mary
[59:03] - Kingdomnomics
[01:00:33] - The Cost of Extravagant Love
[01:01:55] - Social Cost of Love
[01:03:16] - Mary’s Intimate Act
[01:04:35] - Fear of Others’ Opinions
[01:06:09] - The Disciples’ Reaction
[01:07:29] - Judas’ Ulterior Motive
[01:08:50] - Mary at Jesus’ Feet
[01:10:21] - Prophetic Act of Anointing
[01:11:40] - The Wastefulness of Love
[01:13:33] - Jesus’ Response
[01:15:09] - The Cost of Jesus’ Love
[01:16:50] - Are You All In?
[01:18:40] - Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 12:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event had recently occurred in Bethany that led to the gathering at Simon the Leper's house? ([47:32])
2. Describe the act of worship that Mary performed for Jesus. What did she use, and how did she use it? ([48:50])
3. How did Judas Iscariot react to Mary's act of worship, and what was his stated reason for his reaction? ([50:06])
4. What was Jesus' response to Judas' criticism of Mary's actions? ([50:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Mary chose to use such an expensive perfume to anoint Jesus? What does this say about her understanding of Jesus' worth? ([48:50])
2. How does Jesus' defense of Mary’s actions challenge societal norms and expectations about worship and devotion? ([50:06])
3. In what ways does Mary's act of anointing Jesus serve as a prophetic preparation for His crucifixion? ([50:06])
4. How does the concept of "extravagant love" as demonstrated by Mary compare to the love Jesus showed through His sacrifice? ([56:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to give something valuable to Jesus. What was it, and how did you respond? How did it impact your faith? ([48:50])
2. Judas and the other disciples had seemingly good reasons to criticize Mary’s actions. Have you ever faced criticism for your acts of faith or devotion? How did you handle it? ([50:06])
3. Mary’s act of worship defied societal norms. Are there ways in which you feel called to express your faith that might go against societal expectations? How can you find the courage to follow through? ([56:06])
4. Jesus said that true worship and love for Him will always cost us something. What are some areas in your life where you can offer more to Jesus, even if it comes at a personal cost? ([59:03])
5. Think about the transformative power of extravagant love. How can you show this kind of love to others in your community or church? What specific actions can you take this week? ([53:12])
6. Mary’s act of anointing Jesus was a reflection of His love for us. How can you mirror Jesus' love in your daily interactions with others? Identify one person you can show extravagant love to this week. ([56:06])
7. Jesus' love for us was the ultimate act of extravagance. How can you remind yourself daily of His sacrifice and let it inspire your actions and decisions? ([56:06])
Devotional
Day 1: The Cost of Extravagant Love
Extravagant love for Jesus always comes with a cost, whether it be financial, social, or personal. In John 12:1-11, Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive perfume, a significant financial sacrifice that demonstrated her deep love and devotion. This act was not just a display of gratitude for Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead, but also a prophetic preparation for Jesus' impending crucifixion. Mary's willingness to give her best to Jesus, even when it cost her something significant, challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for our love for Him. [36:39]
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 thing of value that you can offer to Jesus today, even if it costs you something significant? How can you make this sacrifice a meaningful act of worship?
Day 2: Prioritizing Love for Jesus
The world will always offer seemingly good reasons not to love Jesus extravagantly. In John 12:1-11, Judas and the other disciples questioned Mary's actions, suggesting the money could have been used for the poor. However, true love for Jesus requires us to prioritize Him above all else, even when it doesn't make sense to others. This passage challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that our love for Jesus is above all other considerations. [50:06]
Luke 14:26 (ESV): "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself prioritizing something or someone over Jesus? How can you realign your priorities to put Jesus first?
Day 3: Defying Societal Norms
Mary's act of letting down her hair and anointing Jesus' feet was socially scandalous, but she didn't let societal norms stop her from expressing her love. We must be willing to defy societal expectations and norms to show our love for Jesus, even when it makes us uncomfortable or draws criticism. This story encourages us to be bold in our expressions of love for Jesus, regardless of what others may think. [47:32]
Acts 5:29 (ESV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'"
Reflection: Is there a way you can express your love for Jesus today that might go against societal norms or expectations? How can you be bold in your faith, even if it means facing criticism or discomfort?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Love
The love that Mary showed Jesus was transformative, leaving a lasting impact on both her and those who witnessed it. Our acts of love and worship should also be transformative, not only for ourselves but for those around us. When we love Jesus extravagantly, it has the power to change lives and draw others to Him. This passage calls us to consider how our love for Jesus can be a transformative force in the world. [53:12]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Think of a recent act of love or worship you performed. How did it impact you and those around you? How can you make your love for Jesus more transformative in your daily life?
Day 5: Reflecting Jesus' Extravagant Love
Jesus' love for us was the ultimate act of extravagance, as He gave His life for our salvation. Mary's act of anointing Jesus was a reflection of this extravagant love. We are called to mirror Jesus' love in our own lives, loving Him and others with the same depth, generosity, and selflessness. This story challenges us to reflect on how we can embody Jesus' extravagant love in our interactions with others. [56:06]
Ephesians 5:2 (ESV): "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Reflection: How can you reflect Jesus' extravagant love in your interactions with others today? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this love in a tangible way?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The word touches lives. It changes lives. Right. And so if we preach the word, it doesn't matter how we preach it. It doesn't matter how bad your language is, wherever it is you're, you're speaking. The word of God just has a way of cutting through all that and penetrating hearts." [36:39] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Extravagant love is characterized by its lavishness, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond for the object of our affection. It's a love that is expressed in grand, gestures, sacrificial acts, often without regard for cost, for personal benefit or, or societal norms, we could say." [45:53] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Think of our savior's love for us. Think of what it cost him to demonstrate that love that didn't make sense. The only explanation is our heavenly father loved us with an extravagant indescribable love." [01:15:09] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God poured out his love extravagantly. He didn't just give a little drop a little dab here and there but he broke the bottle the body of his son was broken on the cross and every last ounce of his love was poured out so that you may know him and be with him so that we could experience of the love and grace amen." [01:16:50] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you've been deeply touched by the grace of God, and how many have been deeply touched by the grace of God today? Lots of people. You can't help but respond in ways that make no sense to the world. No sense. I mean, God's love and God's grace will make you do things that the world says, what's going on? That doesn't make any sense." [01:04:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What is Jesus worth to you? How do you value your relationship with your Lord and Savior? How do you calculate that? And that's where Mary's extravagant act of worship and love shows us something about this moment. And I think it's important for us to understand and to take note of what this truly means." [51:32] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Mary saw Jesus as worthy of the very best she could give him. And in her case, it was a bottle of pure nard. And in this story, what we see here is there was this tremendous financial cost to this extravagant love." [01:00:33] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Mary recognized the significance of what Jesus was about to do. And the disciples, we know, the disciples just, they didn't get it. They didn't have a clue, but Mary, she just, she knew that Jesus was about to lay down his life." [01:08:50] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus' response to these concerns is like, you'll always have the poor among you, but you'll not always have me. And on the one hand, some have said that this means that Mary's extravagant expression of love was justifiable in this one instance only, but never would such a lavish outpouring be appropriate in any other time or place because Jesus only died this once." [01:11:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus is emphasizing this moment to everyone that's there. And this example that Mary gives us, shows us, demonstrates to us, the worth that is in Jesus, that we should worship him in the same way, so to speak, where we give him the best of our love. We give him the best of our time, our talents, our treasures. We give him the best without fear of what others might think." [01:13:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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