Mark 14:1-11
An Act of Remembrance
We are headed towards Jerusalem!
33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again." Mark 10:33-34 (NKJV)
Mark tells the story, not in chronological order, but in a topical style. He relates the direction Jesus is headed in contrast to the direction the religious leader’s desire. The “after two days” may also be a reference to the beginning of the Passover Feasts which was celebrated for a week along with Unleavened Bread. This then would correspond to Matthews account.
1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."
A Plot of Deception 1-2
Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, their greed and their lust for power. They hated Him because He was a threat to their world and system.
Their decision was unified – deceive Him! δόλος to design by deceit, lure, snare or trap
Their aim was specified – to death! A violent, get rid of Him death.
Their hatred was intensified – ASAP!
Their fears were identified – They feared the people but not God!
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 oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant (they were bent out of shape; ἀγανακτέω much & curve in the arm) among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted (useless, ruin ἀπώλεια)? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized (snorting like horses) her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good (beautiful) work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
A Place of Affection 3-9
Simon’s hospitality (formerly a leper) was an expressive love!
What we were; unclean, unfit, unworthy. We have not been healed, but we have been cleansed.
Lazarus’ festivity (once dead, now alive) was an enjoyable love!
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11
What we have been; dead, decayed, destroyed. But we have been changed!
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Because of Jesus sacrifice, I have become a new creature in Him! I have been reconciled to the Father through Jesus’ work alone!
Mary’s generosity (currently a follower of Jesus) was an extravagant love!
What we are; unashamed, unafraid, unassuming (no pride). She used what she had and it was priceless and precious to her.
“This box is actually a flask. Within that flask was a substance called “spikenard”, or just “nard”. It is a ointment that is drawn from a plant that grows in India. It was a perfume that was used in the embalming process. It was so expensive that only the very wealthy could afford to purchase it. We are told in verse 5 that it was worth “300 pence”. This is a year’s pay for the average worker. In today’s economy, Mary’s gift was worth around $20,000.000. It was an extravagant gift.” Source: www.sermonnotebook.org/mark
Mary had experienced God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Her brother had been raised, her neighbor, Simon the leper, had been cleansed and she had been changed! Nothing was too good for Jesus and she revealed it in her love for Him!
Notice Judas’ response to extravagant gift!
4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for 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. (He pilfered for his own desires.) John 12:4-6
“They treated her like they did because they did not have the same heart of love for Jesus that she had. She loved Him more than life and she was willing to give Him all that she had in response. They were upset because they did not think He was worthy of the same kind of love that she deemed Him worthy of.
People give themselves to all kinds of pursuits in life. Some give themselves to money and people call them a success. Some give themselves to sports, they become star athletes and people call them heroes. Some give themselves to politics and are called great civic leaders. Some give themselves to academics and people talk about how wonderful they are because they are intellectual. But, you let a talented young man or woman give themselves to a life of service to the Lord Jesus Christ as a missionary or for a ministerial purpose and people will say, “What a waste!”“ Source: http://www.sermonnotebook.org/mark/
Far too many Christians are like the fellow who called his girlfriend up one day and said, “Darling, I love you! I would climb the highest mountain for you! I would swim the deepest river for you! I would fight a jungle full of lions for you! I love you! And, if it doesn’t rain tonight, I will be over to see you.”
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:36-38
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently (quietly and efficiently without fanfare) betray Him.
A Persona of Rejection (10-11)
Judas was a privileged man! After all, he heard every sermon, saw every miracle, shared meals with and touched the Son of God, yet Judas ejected Jesus! How often we have people attend church, heard hundreds of biblical sermons and see lives changed only to reject the Savior who died for them because they love this world more than they do Jesus!
Judas was problematic man! He loved material things. He loved the prestige, position and power that Jesus brought his way. The problem was he did not love Jesus! He actually bargained with the religious leaders for the very life of Jesus. Thirty pieces of silver was enough! Judas had his price!
4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for 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. John 12:4-6
“It is interesting that the word translated ‘waste’ in Mark 14:4 is translated ‘perdition’ in John 17:12 and applied to Judas! Judas criticized Mary for ‘wasting money,’ but he wasted his entire life!” (Wiersbe)
How often do we seek after more; more money, bigger homes, newer and bigger flat screen T.V.’s and luxurious cars. All the while, we are tipping God with our extra rather than sacrificing our alabaster boxes.
Judas was pride-filled man. He was remorseful but not repentant! He was filled with regret for his actions but he was not willing to repent and turn from his sin by trusting in Jesus as his Savior.
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful (regretful) and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" (That’s your problem, not ours!) Matthew 27:3-4
The sin I believe God hates the most is pride! Why? Because our pride displaces God from the throne room of our hearts. It is all about me and my needs. Pride is the primary sin of Satan because in his own eyes he became more precious and valuable than the Eternal God did.
