Don’t Be A Waste This Lent

DON’T BE A WASTE THIS LENT

INTRODUCTION: ASHES AND ALABASTER

Church, here we are.

Lent is here.

On Ash Wednesday we will hear the words:

Genesis 3:19

New King James Version

19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread

Till you return to the ground,

For out of it you were taken;

For dust you are,

And to dust you shall return.”

That is not morbid.

That is clarifying.

It reminds us that this life is brief.

It reminds us that what we pour ourselves into matters.

It reminds us that one day we will stand before the King.

And the question will not be:

How comfortable were you?

How entertained were you?

How admired were you?

The question will be:

What did you do with your life?

Today I want to ask you something uncomfortable:

What are you wasting your life on?

Because in Mark chapter 14, we meet a woman accused of waste.

And she becomes the model for what Lent is truly about.

I. THE ALABASTER BOX – MARK 14:3

Turn with me to Mark 14.

Mark 14:3

New King James Version

The Anointing at Bethany

3 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 [a]oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mary of Bethany.

Her family was not wealthy.

But she possessed an alabaster box filled with spikenard valued at 300 denarii — roughly a year’s wages.

This was not spare change.

This was her security.

Her future.

Her inheritance.

And she broke it.

She didn’t drizzle it.

She didn’t measure it.

She broke it.

And the fragrance filled the house.

II. “WHAT A WASTE!”

Immediately the criticism began.

Mark 14:4

New King James Version

4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

Waste.

What does waste mean?

• Giving too much.

• Giving more than seems reasonable.

• Giving something valuable for something others deem not worth it.

Let’s look at it from two angles.

III. JUDAS – THE WORLD’S MINDSET

John gives us deeper insight.

John 12:4-6

New King James Version

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for [a]three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Judas represents the world’s logic.

The world says:

• Be practical.

• Be efficient.

• Don’t overdo religion.

• Don’t give your whole life to Jesus.

The world says:

“Why waste your Sunday mornings?”

“Why tithe?”

“Why fast?”

“Why give up comfort?”

To the world, devotion looks foolish.

To the world, living fully for Christ is a waste.

But listen carefully:

WHEN YOUR EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED TO THE REAL WORTH OF THE LORD — NOTHING IS TOO GOOD FOR HIM.

IV. EVEN THE DISCIPLES DIDN’T UNDERSTAND

But here’s the sobering part.

It wasn’t just Judas.

Matthew 26:8

New King James Version

8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

Even those closest to Jesus didn’t understand extravagant love.

And here is where Lent confronts us.

Even among Christians today, there is a subtle spirit that says:

“How little can I give and still be blessed?”

“How little can I surrender and still go to heaven?”

We want maximum return with minimum sacrifice.

But hear me:

The Lord is not first after your usefulness.

He is after your heart.

He is after your surrender.

He is after your broken alabaster box.

V. WHAT JESUS DEFENDED

Look at what Jesus said:

Mark 14:6

New King James Version

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.

Notice this:

He did not say she did a useful work.

He said she did a good work for Me.

This was not about productivity.

This was about devotion.

She ministered to Him.

Church, Lent is not about checking spiritual boxes.

It is about ministering to the Lord.

VI. LOVE IS THE MEASURE – 1 CORINTHIANS 13

Our Epistle lesson reminds us:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

New King James Version

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.