THREE TOKENS OF LOVE FOR CHRIST
John 12:1-11
A week before Jesus Crucifixion is saga of popularity to rejection, of friendship and betrayal, of love and hate. On that same week, Jesus is about to face the peak of His mission. He will be offered as a sacrificial lamb. He will bear the sins of the world as He will be crucified on the cross. This is the period of time that Jesus – incarnated as a man need love and support from his friends.
Six days before Jesus offer His life on the cross, three people among his friends gave three tokens of love to Jesus. Martha offered the token of Service, Mary the token of worship and Lazarus the token of Testimony for Christ. Let us read the account from our text and see if we can also offer the same tokens of love for Christ.
READING:
Joh 12:1 Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus-the man he had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him.
Joh 12:3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
Joh 12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples-the one who would betray him-said,
Joh 12:5 "That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."
Joh 12:6 Not that he cared for the poor-he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.
Joh 12:7 Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.
Joh 12:8 You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer."
Joh 12:9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too,
Joh 12:11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. (NLT)
I. THE TOKEN OF SERVICE - Martha
Lesson 1: Use your talents and serve while there is chance to serve. No service will be in vain if we did it for Christ
Joh 12:2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served…
Martha was once corrected for being busy for the kingdom but no time for the king. But the correction did not discourage her. She just realigns her priorities but continue her service for the Lord.
• Service must be done for the glory of God
• Service must be offered with smile and without complaining
• Service must be an expression of our love for God and others
The token of Service which is ministry for Christ is a love put in action to serve Jesus and others
II. THE TOKEN OF WORSHIP – Mary
Lesson 2: Worship is an act of offering to please God and only God. Regardless of what critics may say we don’t care, as long as God is glorified.
Joh 12:3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
• Worship must be offered with value
• Worship must be offered with sacrifice
• Worship must be offered with love
The token of affection which is worship is a love express from the heart evident on the quality of sacrifice.
III. THE TOKEN OF TESTIMONY – Lazarus
Lesson 3: There is always risk when you take the witness stand. But you don’t have to fear death threat when you testify about Christ because He is the author of life.
Joh 12:9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too,
Joh 12:11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
• Testimony for Christ can be risky
• Testimony for Christ Give glory to God
• Testimony for Christ prove our love for God
The token of Testimony glorify Christ as our life cause others to come to Jesus as they witness the miracle of resurrection and transformation in our life.
CONCLUSION:
We can also offer our token of love to Christ,
• Love Him by your service
• Love Him by your worship
• Love Him through your testimony
If you have been blessed, encouraged or inspired by this sermon then it’s your turn to be an encouragement too. You can do it by sending email to this contributor at spy2rb@yahoo.com or post comment on the discussion box below.
