Anointing Christ Series

Title: Anointing Christ

Theme: Truths in the Triumphal Entry

Series: Easter Season Messages

Listen as I read John 12:1-13, “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of... an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ...Jesus said, ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of My burial. ...Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ...The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’ Let us pray!

Introduction: There are many truths worth grasping as we take time to take a Biblical examination of the “Triumphal Entry.” We see Lazarus enjoying fellowship with Christ after being raised from the dead. We see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, growing in grace and knowledge of the Son of God as well as Martha serving, exercising her gift of hospitality. This Biblical account gives us some essentials for the Body of Christ.

Proposition: I would propose to you that when Christians grasp the truth of Jesus Christ being King as well as Savior they want to live a life that says, "Hosanna, Blessed is he comes in the Name of the Lord!" Anointing Jesus as the king of their lives."

Interrogative Sentence: Just what are truths to proclaiming Jesus Christ as the King to whom everyone someday will bow their knee to and every tongue will confess that He is the Lord? (Philippians 2:9-10)

Transitional Sentence: A life that proclaims, “Hosanna,” proclaims Christ is Messiah. John 1:41 says, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him 'We have found the Messiah'” (that is, the Christ)…” Andrew’s actions reflect a Holy Spirit illuminated heart about Jesus Christ being the Savior and the “Anointed King” (2 Samuel 7:12-13). It is imperative that Christians understand that “Messiah” (Hebrew - masiyah) and “Christ” (Christos) means “Anointed one.” (The Complete Word Study Bible)

Our key text tells of a women, Mary, took expensive perfume, and anointed Jesus' feet. The house they were in was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Mary’s love was extravagant, she took the most precious thing she possessed and spent it on Christ. Extravagant love has no nicely laid out cost. It gives its all and the only regret is that there is not more to give. It is sacrificial giving, just as God did for us when He gave His One only Son and when Jesus gave His own life for us. Mary’s love showed humility. She came to her Lord as a servant, meeting His need in humble servant-hood fashion. Christians who anoint Christ as their King serve in a way that keeps Him on the throne of the heart, not in a way that exalts themselves.

In Luke we read of another time when Jesus received a personal anointing. It was when Jesus was having dinner at a Pharisee’s house. While having dinner, an unnamed woman, deep in humiliation for her sins comes and wets His feet with her tears. She wipes them with her hair, kisses His feet and pours perfume on them. It is very possible she had become convicted of her past sins while Jesus taught somewhere and at this time she longed to be in His presence to show the Lord her affection. Jesus said she loved much and He told Simon, “…her many sins have been forgiven… ” Jesus told the woman, “…your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:47) He also told her “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” (Luke 7:50) As we read the Biblical account of the sinful woman anointing Jesus, we see a repentant sinner entirely devoting this task to the Lord’s honor owning Him to be the “Messiah,” “the Christ,” “the Anointed.”

In the days of Christ, it was the custom to wash the feet of the guest, because the dry dusty ground and the walking caused a person's feet to swell and get hot. Frequent washing of the feet is not only a luxury, but a necessity for comfort and health. Washing the feet of a traveler or guest in the home was just as important as feeding them when they were hungry, or giving them a place to rest when they are tired. Not to do so would be discourteous and even insulting. Mary in the Book of John and the sinful woman in Luke, washed Jesus feet by extravagant means, because they knew who He was and they wanted to express their love to Him.