Prioritizing Christ Amid Life's Demands and Challenges
Summary
Life is unavoidably demanding, and as we grow older, we realize that the questions and pressures only deepen. The critical issue is not whether we can escape these demands, but rather which demands we will prioritize. In John 12:1-11, we see a vivid scene where Mary pours out costly perfume on Jesus’ feet, an act that draws criticism and discomfort from those around her. This moment exposes the tension between the demands of discipleship—following Jesus with everything we have—and the competing demands of status, resources, and security that the world places on us.
Mary’s act is not just extravagant; it is prophetic and deeply personal. She recognizes who Jesus is and what He is about to do, and she responds with wholehearted devotion, even at the cost of her reputation and resources. In contrast, Judas and others in the room are preoccupied with practicalities, social norms, and their own fears. Their reactions are shaped by the pressures of their world—financial insecurity, political instability, and the fear of losing power or safety. These are not foreign to us; we, too, often find ourselves more like Judas or the Pharisee, letting the world’s demands dictate our choices, rather than surrendering to the call of Jesus.
Jesus does not promise that following Him will be easy or free from hardship. Instead, He invites us to bring our burdens to Him, assuring us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light—not because life becomes simple, but because He walks with us through every storm. The demands of discipleship are real and costly, but they are also the path to true life and freedom. Mary’s example teaches us that what matters most is not the quantity of our sacrifice, but the sincerity and love with which we offer ourselves to Jesus.
In the end, the call is to examine the demands we are responding to, to repent when we have placed anything above Jesus, and to trust that He understands our struggles. He has faced every demand and conquered even death itself. Life with Him may cost us everything, but it is the only way to gain what truly lasts. Like the fragrance that filled the house, may the truth of Jesus’ worth fill our lives and our church.
Key Takeaways
- The Demands of Life Are Inescapable, But Our Response Matters
No one can avoid the pressures and complexities of life, no matter how skilled or prepared we are. The real question is not whether we will face demands, but which ones we will allow to shape us. Choosing to prioritize the demands of Jesus over those of the world is the only way to find meaning and direction amid life’s chaos. [27:38]
- Discipleship Requires Costly, Sincere Devotion
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus was costly both financially and socially, yet it was her sincerity and willingness to give her all that set her apart. True discipleship is not measured by outward acts alone, but by the heart’s posture—humble, grateful, and willing to risk everything for Jesus. God values the quality of our devotion over the quantity of our sacrifice. [49:42]
- The World’s Demands Often Stem from Fear and Self-Preservation
Judas and the Pharisees were not simply villains; their actions were shaped by real fears—financial insecurity, loss of status, and threats to safety. When we let fear dictate our choices, we become more susceptible to prioritizing worldly demands over Christ’s call. Recognizing and naming these fears is the first step toward freedom and faithful discipleship. [43:12]
- Jesus Invites Us to Bring Our Burdens, Not Escape Them
Jesus does not promise a life free from hardship, but He does promise His presence and rest for our souls. His invitation is not to a life of ease, but to a life where our burdens are shared with Him, and where even the most difficult demands become opportunities for growth and trust. The adventure of following Jesus is not the absence of storms, but learning to sail with Him through them. [45:30]
- Surrendering to Jesus Leads to True Life, Even When It Costs Everything
Mary’s example shows that surrendering all to Jesus—even when it seems foolish or costly—leads to a life that cannot be destroyed by the world’s demands. Jesus understands our struggles, having faced them Himself, and He promises resurrection life to all who trust Him. In losing our lives for His sake, we find a security and hope that nothing else can offer. [52:40]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[23:27] - Introduction and Seminary Connection
[24:49] - Reflections on Adulthood and Life’s Demands
[26:04] - The Unavoidable Nature of Demands
[27:38] - The Critical Question: Whose Demands Matter Most?
[28:53] - The Demands of Discipleship and John 12:1-11
[31:19] - Background: Tensions Around Jesus and Lazarus
[33:00] - Misconceptions About Mary and the Anointing
[34:45] - The Cost of Discipleship: Status and Resources
[36:43] - Motivations and Reactions in the Room
[39:13] - Identifying with Mary, Judas, and the Pharisee
[41:03] - Judas: Fear, Desperation, and Betrayal
[43:12] - The Pharisee: Social and Political Pressures
[45:30] - Jesus’ Invitation: Rest Amid Demands
[47:50] - Examining Our Own Demands
[48:33] - What Set Mary Apart
[49:42] - The Heart Behind Sacrifice
[51:54] - Jesus Understands and Overcomes All Demands
[52:40] - Resurrection Life and True Security
[54:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Demands We Choose – John 12:1-11
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### Bible Reading
John 12:1-11 (ESV)
> Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
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### Observation Questions
1. What are the different reactions of Mary, Judas, and the others present at the dinner when Mary anoints Jesus? What do their responses reveal about their priorities? ([34:45])
2. According to the passage, what does Jesus say in response to Judas’ criticism of Mary’s act? Why does he defend her? ([30:31])
3. What details in the story show that Mary’s act was both costly and personal? ([37:58])
4. What reasons does the text give for the chief priests’ plan to kill both Jesus and Lazarus? ([31:19])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Mary have been willing to risk her reputation and resources to anoint Jesus, even though it made others uncomfortable? What does this say about her understanding of who Jesus is? ([48:33])
2. The sermon suggests that Judas and the Pharisees were motivated by fear and self-preservation. How do these motivations affect their ability to see the value in Mary’s devotion? ([43:12])
3. Jesus says, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” What does this statement mean in the context of the story, and how does it challenge the priorities of those present? ([30:31])
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to him, not to escape them. How does this invitation change the way we view the demands of life and discipleship? ([45:30])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon points out that life is always demanding, and the real question is which demands we will prioritize. What are some of the biggest demands or pressures you are facing right now? How do you decide which ones to respond to first? ([27:38])
2. Mary’s act was costly, both financially and socially. Is there something in your life that you feel Jesus is asking you to surrender or risk for him, even if it seems foolish to others? What holds you back? ([34:45])
3. The reactions of Judas and the Pharisees were shaped by fear—fear of losing money, status, or safety. Can you identify a fear in your own life that sometimes leads you to put other things before Jesus? How can you begin to name and address that fear? ([43:12])
4. Jesus does not promise an easy life, but he does promise to walk with us through every storm. When have you experienced Jesus’ presence in the middle of a difficult or demanding season? How did it change your experience of that time? ([45:30])
5. The sermon says that what matters most is not the quantity of our sacrifice, but the sincerity and love with which we offer ourselves to Jesus. Think of a time when you gave something to God out of love rather than obligation. How did that feel different? ([49:42])
6. The fragrance of Mary’s devotion filled the whole house. What would it look like for the “fragrance” of Jesus’ worth to fill your life, your home, or our church community? ([52:40])
7. The call is to examine the demands we are responding to and to repent when we have placed anything above Jesus. Is there a specific area where you sense God inviting you to realign your priorities this week? What practical step could you take? ([47:50])
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Devotional
Day 1: The Demands of Discipleship: Prioritizing Jesus Above All
Discipleship with Jesus is not about escaping the demands of life, but about choosing whose demands we will consider most important. Every person faces unavoidable pressures, responsibilities, and expectations, but the call of Jesus is to place His demands above all others, trusting that when we do, He will care for the rest. This does not guarantee an easy life, but it does promise a life of meaning, purpose, and the presence of Christ in every circumstance. The critical question is not whether life will be demanding, but whose demands will shape your heart and actions. [27:38]
John 12:1-11 (ESV)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Reflection: What is one demand in your life that regularly competes with Jesus’ call to follow Him, and how might you intentionally choose His way today?
Day 2: Costly Worship: Giving Our Best to Jesus
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a bold, sacrificial, and deeply personal act of worship that defied social expectations and risked her reputation. True discipleship often requires us to give up our resources, comfort, and even social standing for the sake of honoring Jesus. The sincerity and quality of our devotion matter more than the quantity of what we give; God delights in a heart that offers itself fully, even when it costs us dearly. [34:45]
Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Reflection: What is one costly or uncomfortable act of worship you sense God inviting you to offer Him this week?
Day 3: The Temptation of Worldly Demands
Judas, the Pharisee, and others in the story were not simply villains; they were people under immense pressure, shaped by fears about money, status, and security. The demands of the world—financial worries, social expectations, and the desire for safety—can easily overshadow the call of Jesus if we let them. The challenge is to recognize these competing demands, bring our fears honestly to God, and choose to let His voice be the loudest in our lives, even when it feels risky or countercultural. [43:12]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Reflection: What fear or pressure most tempts you to compromise your discipleship, and how can you bring it honestly to Jesus in prayer today?
Day 4: Sincere Sacrifice: The Heart God Desires
God is not impressed by outward acts of sacrifice if they are not rooted in a sincere, humble, and contrite heart. Mary’s offering was precious to Jesus not just because of its cost, but because it flowed from love, gratitude, and surrender. The Lord desires that we come to Him with brokenness and authenticity, offering ourselves—not just our resources—in worship and repentance. [49:42]
Psalm 51:16-17 (ESV)
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been giving to God out of duty rather than love? How can you offer Him your heart afresh today?
Day 5: Jesus Understands Our Demands and Offers True Life
Jesus knows firsthand the weight of life’s demands and the cost of obedience; He faced betrayal, loss, and death, yet overcame them all to bring us life. Discipleship with Him is not a promise of ease, but of His presence, help, and ultimate victory over anything that threatens to overwhelm us. When we give ourselves fully to Him, even in the midst of life’s greatest pressures, we discover that His demands lead not to dead ends, but to true life, courage, and hope that cannot be taken away. [52:40]
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Reflection: Where do you need to be reminded today that Jesus has overcome the world and is with you in every demand you face?
Quotes
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