Sermon - An Extravagant Gift of Appreciation
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 26:6-16 “Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.”
Introduction: This story of extravagant love is mentioned in all the gospel account. I like all versions of this story because together the set the atmosphere, identify the host, the date and location and even mentions some of the guests by name. Jesus loved going to Bethany. Bethany was the hometown of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was the place where Jesus could relax, enjoy a fellowship meal and talk with friends. Every servant of God needs a Bethany. The event was at the home of Simon the Leper, who had been cured, restored, and blessed beyond measure. I want you to see the setting for that dinner.
What a blessed guest list. Each guest seemed to have had a unique relationship with Jesus. What an honor it must have been for Simon the leper, who had been healed and restored to his family and his community to host the banquet. Simon literally owed his life to Jesus. Lazarus was another guest that owed his life to Jesus. The dinner must have been great, and the conversation even greater. It was a great celebration and then something truly remarkable took place. We can only imagine what it must have been like for Jesus who had called, mentored, and pastored so many around the table.
Knowing what was ahead, the dread of suffering, leaving his disciples, his mother and being separated from His Father. Seeing all the smiles, but knowing there was a betrayal, a denial, and desertion just ahead. It must have been tempting to stop the celebration and pour out his heart, but he smiled and received this gift of appreciation.
Events like this were normally limited to men taking center stage. Women were not banned, but normally did not take an active part. Looming over this joyous occasion was the prospect of the coming arrest, trial, scouring and crucifixion of Jesus. It almost seems as if Mary understood the weight of moment that was upon her Lord. So, Mary enters the room during the meal and changes the atmosphere. She brings Jesus a God honoring gift. She approaches Him, breaks open her alabaster jar, and pours it all over his head. She then falls to her knees and pours what is left on his feet and wipes it with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume fills the room as tension fills the air. Everyone recognizes the perfume. It was extravagant to say the least. It was outside the box, over the top! All the disciples were awed by the gift. Judas finally spoke up to rebuke the woman for what he thought was a waste, but the Lord Jesus quickly honors her sacrifice and her sensitivity. Jesus memorializes her act of love forever. Jesus blessed her gift and made sure that her selfless act would be remembered forever. Mark 14:9, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Many pastors and church leaders are in this great work to be rewarded or celebrated, those who value their work and see their sacrifice should seek ways to bless them in return. Jesus actions in the story teaches some important lessons. Every leader needs a place to relax and refresh themselves. Bethany was that place for Jesus. Secondly, every good leader needs to graciously receive gifts of appreciation. Some leaders have a false sense of humility. “A servant is worthy of his hire.” Faithful leaders deserve double honor when they labor in the word, and for the souls under their care.
Here are some facts about this extravagant gift of appreciation at Bethany. Even though the exact day of this events slightly differs in the gospel, this God honoring gift takes center stage in every record. The disciples were not concern with the chronological order as they were with what happened and what was said and done. As we experience a time of year when many show appreciation to their leaders, consider some of the lessons we can learn from this extravagant gift of appreciation given to Jesus at Bethany.
1. An Extravagant gift of Appreciation should be valuable and precious to the giver. Matt 26:7-9 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
This extravagant gift of appreciation was valuable and precious to the giver. Our gift is an expression of our love and appreciation. It is an act of worship or reverence. Worship means to honor or show reverence for God as a divine being or supernatural power. It means to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion. Mary’s gift was costly, a year’s wages. She honored her Lord by pouring all the perfume upon him, falling on her knees and drying his feet with her hair. This was strange to others, but not to Mary. She had listen at his feet; when Lazarus died, she wept at his feet, and now at this occasion she is back at his feet. Her gift was valuable and precious.
I am reminded of something that David did in 2 Samuel 24:18-25, when at plague was rampant in Israel and God told David to build an altar and offer a sacrifice. David’s servant offered to give him a threshing floor, a place to sacrifice his offering and the sheep needed for the sacrifice, but King David refused his offer, preferring to pay for the threshing floor and the sheep. David refuse to offer God a gift that did not cost him anything. When Mary brought her gift it was precious to her. She brought the equivalent of one year’s salary and poured it upon Jesus. It was beyond what many might have thought was reasonable, but not Mary. She had been blessed in an extravagant way, how could she do anything less than her best.
This lady took center stage only three times in scripture and each time she is at our Lord’s feet. She sat at his feet to hear His word (Luke 10:38-42). She knelt at his feet in sorrow over the death of her brother Lazarus (John 11:32). And this time, she brings her gift. What a wonderful place to be found…at Jesus’ feet. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we have been there lately? Have we been too busy? Too proud? Too self-reliant? At His feet was Mary’s favorite place to be. We see her there in times of sorrow and in times of joy. We see her there in times of receiving and in times of giving. We see her there when the sun is shining and when the storm clouds are gathering.
Her motive was love. Doing something extravagant like this was fitting for her. Not that it wasn’t expensive, it was! It is just that to her, Jesus was worth so much more. Could the same be said of us? Have we given anything to God recently, not because we were expected to but because we wanted to? Wherever this kind of love exists in the heart, there is a desire to sacrifice. Jesus, the object of our devotion is worth every penny. Mary broke the Box! Some may be content to give a little, content to just dip their finger into what is precious to them and just dab a little upon him. Not Mary, she broke the box.
2. An Extravagant gift of Appreciation Changes the Atmosphere. Matthew 26:8 “The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Mark states “And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” The whole house was filled with the fragrance, not just the room in which they were seated. Her gift influenced everyone who was present. Soon everyone knew what had been offered. Even those who were outside would know what had been offered within. When we give ourselves to Jesus the aroma is powerful. When a congregation is made up of committed Christians who are willing to give everything they have to Jesus, the scent is inviting. Even those outside of these walls become drawn to the fragrance within. The people outside of the walls of the church are starving for love, truth and life! Don’t be deceived, people hunger for real worship and if they are not drawn to the Truth, they might settle for the counterfeit. This is why we see highly educated men and women with crystals around their necks in hopes of getting in touch with something beyond themselves and their sad existence. They are starving for life that can only be found in Jesus Christ. And when God’s people give their very best to God, the aroma of their love will draw people to Him.
God inhabits the praises of His people! When we bring the sacrifice of praise, the fragrance of love is attractive. Don’t wait for someone else to do it before you do it. Just like Mary did, we encourage one another with our sacrifice. When we hear of someone else’s sacrifice it encourages us to do more. You be that person. Bring your best to God. One of the ways we give to God is by giving to others. Everyone may not appreciate your gift. Some may criticize you or even rebuke you. But God will celebrate you! Let your gift of appreciation be extravagant. Give an appreciation gift of love that is valuable and precious to you, and it will change the atmosphere of the house, bless the receiver and irritate the critics and leave them perplexed.
3. An Extravagant Gift of Appreciation May Cause Some to be Perplexed. Matthew 26:8-11 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Judas complained, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and given to the poor.” Yet Judas was not concerned about the poor. Most perplexed people have ulterior motives.
One year, at the General Conference, an elderly lady pledged a two-million-dollar gift to the AME Zion Church because there was a need. When her family members heard about it, they got a lawyer and prevented it. Other people said, “she must have been duped!” Still, others said, “She is not mentally sound enough to make such a gift.” You see, not everyone will be blessed when someone gives to God extravagantly. What maybe a beautiful fragrance to God, might be a stench to others. Judas’ statement sounded so spiritual, didn’t it? “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and given to the poor?” (I like how John unmasked his hypocrisy though!) Verse 6, “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as a keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put in it.” The truth is that those who would be disgusted by your extravagance are typically more into themselves than anything else. They may mask their disapproval in spiritual language, but their hypocrisy is evident.
Did you notice the damage that Judas did? Mary’s sacrifice had drawn all the attention of the house on the Lord Jesus Christ. But Judas, by his arrogance, turned the attention away from the Lord. He wasn’t in love with Jesus; he was in love with himself. For thirty pieces of silver Judas would later betray the Lord Jesus. To this day, your extravagant love for God will be perplexing to those who gripe. But don’t let that stop you! In spite of their criticism, keep doing good, keep giving to please God not man. An extravagant gift of appreciation should be valuable and precious to the giver, it will change the atmosphere of the house, cause some to be perplexed, but it always pleasing to God. Some leaders have been so discouraged by criticism they had canceled appreciations services all together thinking everybody was against them. Please know, everybody is not against you. There are just one or two loud voices. God is still for you and appreciates you. Many members you serve are for you and appreciate you. Some will find a way to bless you, encourage you and show appreciation even if the event is cancelled.
4. Extravagant gifts of appreciation are pleasing to Christ. Matthew 26:10-13 “But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
The only voice heard in favor of what Mary did that night was the only one that really mattered. Matthew 26:10, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” When we really give our gifts to God, in the right way and for the right reason, He knows it. Our Lord emphasized the fact that Mary’s gift was for Him. Nothing that we give God will ever go unnoticed by Him. Jesus said that when we give any gift to His servant because they are His, we are giving to Him. Even a cup of cold water to refresh a thirsty servant, is a gift to God.
Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
You will never give something to God that will be forgotten, when He receives something from us that is precious to us it is pleasing to Him. In Mark’s account of this event Mark adds that Christ also said, “She did what she could” (Mark 14:8). The fragrance of that perfume has long since evaporated from the air, but the memory of that woman’s deed will survive. Jesus memorialized her deed in the gospel message forever. She did what she could and what she did made a difference. Picture the scene as Phillip Keller described it:
“The delicious fragrance ran down over his shining hair. It enfolded His body with its delightful aroma. Even his tunic and flowing undergarment were drenched with its enduring pungency. Wherever he moved during the ensuing days, the perfume would go with Him. Into the Passover; into the Garden of Gethsemane; into Herod’s hall; into Pilate’s patio; even into the cruel hands of those who cast lots for his clothing.”
With each crack of the whip, Mary’s gift was remembered. With each nail driven in, her love was felt. What does Christ expect of me? To do what I can. To do what I can regardless of criticism. To do what I can from a heart of love. Like Mary’s alabaster jar, may we be found broken before Him!”
ILL.- There is an old legend about a man lost in the desert. He was dying for a drink of water. He stumbled on a old shack. He looked around and found a little shade from the heat of the desert. As he looked around, he saw an old rusty, water pump about 15 feet away. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, and began to pump and pump, but nothing came out. He happened to notice that to the side of the pump was an old jug. He looked at it, wiped away the dirt, and read a message that was on it. It read: "You have to prime the pump with all the water in this jug. Be sure to fill the jug again before you leave."
He popped the cork out of the jug and found it almost full. Suddenly, he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live and be satisfied. But if he poured the water into the old rusty pump, maybe it would give cool water from down deep in the well, and he would have plenty of water. He pondered the situation: should he waste all the water on the hope of getting more water? Or should he drink it?
Somewhat reluctantly, he poured all the water into the pump. Then the grabbed the handle and began to pump. Squeak, squeak, squeak. Still nothing came out! Squeak, squeak, squeak. And finally, a little bit of water dribbled out. Then a stream and finally, the water gushed out! He filled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and again drank from it.
Then he filled the jug for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, put the cork back in, and added this note: "Believe me, this really works! You have to give it all away before you can get anything back."
And so, it is with love. Many people are unloved, feel unloved, and don’t get much love. Could it be that we have not given it away? The Lord has given it to you and now it is time for you to give it away to others. Let your gifts of appreciation be extravagant, over the top, break the box. Let your extravagant gift be valuable and precious to you, it will change the atmosphere of the house, cause some to be perplexed, but it is always pleasing to God. God in Christ Jesus has given us His most precious gift, His only begotten Son. When we receive Him, we belong to Him and should freely give our all to him! What will you give? The woman of our text got it, but more than that, she was willing to use it. She gave an extravagant gift of love that was remembered!
Our leaders labored in the word, prayed when we were in distress, picked us up when we were struggling, helped us through bereavement, discouragement, and despair, let’s remember them and show our appreciation to them. In as much as you do it to the least of these my brothers, you do it unto me.
