“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ’Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ’Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me’" (John 12:1-8, ESV).
There’s a 22 year old American blogger or maker of reels in Facebook and has about 7 million followers. He features not dancing, singing or comedy skits. But he interviews the rich -- millionaires or billionaires. He would ask them their highest earning so far for one year, or the kind of business they have. He would also ask their age when they got their first million, or what advice they could give to a young guy like him. Sometimes, he would ask them if they had been bankrupt at one point in their life and how they get out of it. One millionaire responded that he was bankrupt before, not only once but twice.
Recently, my attention was caught, when an elderly billionaire confided that once he became also bankrupt. Then, he gave a very meaningful reply, when a follow up question was thrown at him. What would he do now, if he would become bankrupt again?
While he gave his answer, he glanced at his back, looking at a charming elderly woman (apparently his wife), and he proceeded to say: “Well, I am already old, and with somebody who is everything to me…!”
For the rich man, his wife has more worth than his billions that could be lost!
During this new year, what is the great worth that we could consider? As Christians, no matter what we could have in the days ahead, the greatest worth for us should always be Christ.
So, this time, let’s focus on the topic, PERCEIVING THE GREATEST WORTH while we study our text (John 12:1-8).
As we perceive the great worth of Christ, we will be motivated to do something. So, when we see or understand the worth of Christ, what are we going to do?
Before we proceed in our text, refresh our mind that the Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John. He addressed himself repeatedly in the book as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He focused on the life, works and words of Jesus in His few remaining days on earth. He pointed out that Jesus is God. And he related the importance not only of believing, but also of loving Jesus.
Some verses before our text, we realized that when Jesus “unleashed” His word, there were at least two glorious effects, especially if it is directed to us. First, we accept it. Second, we act on it.
Also, when we consider God's Sovereign Work, we understand that it creates appreciation in the heart, and it “overrules” man’s evil intention.
Now, in our text we learn that when we are aware of the worth of Christ, we will be moved to do something. This time, we’ll just focus on one thing. So, what will be the effect on us, if we are aware of the worth of Christ?
DISPLAY OUR GREAT LOVE FOR CHRIST (verses 45-48).
We read verses 3-5, “Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ’Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’"
In verse 1, we read that Jesus came to Bethany. That’s the place where Lazarus was staying and where Jesus performed His miracle before, when He raised Lazarus from the dead. So, Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, knew the worth of Christ. They knew that Jesus was the Resurrection and the Life. They witnessed the power of His Word. When Jesus said, “Lazarus come out,” Lazarus came out of the tomb. And even before that incident, they were aware of Jesus’ love for them.
And we can also have a glimpse of the bravery of Jesus in coming again to Bethany. In chapter 11, we read that authorities in Jerusalem issued His “death warrant.” Instead of remaining in the place of Ephraim, Jesus went to Bethany, which is near Jerusalem. To meet His death.
In Bethany, Lazarus, Martha and Mary displayed their affection on Jesus. They honored Him with a dinner. Martha prepared and served the meal. Lazarus was “reclining with… (Jesus) at table” -- not only eating together with Him, but could be conversing, thanking Him, especially for what He did to him.
But notice how Mary displayed her love for Jesus.
She took a pound of expensive perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus. Usually, anointing is done on the head, especially to honor someone. But Mary anointed the feet to show not only her humility, but her devotion. In other words, she wanted to show her love and care for Jesus. And consider also the cost she used for anointing.
According to the “financial expert” (Judas) in the group, it could be sold for three hundred denarii -- almost equal to one year income of a laborer.
So, because Mary perceived the worth of Jesus, she loved Him more than her valuable possession. Also, the expression of her love could not be hidden. Take note, “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
And her love for Jesus was characterized as giving Him the priority. Her expression of love, however, was faulted by Judas. He said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" Mary prioritized in giving it to Jesus. It did not mean that she did not want to give to the poor. But in that instance that she had the opportunity to express her love for Jesus, other things were secondary.
Another final observation on how Mary expressed her love for Jesus: She used her hair to wipe the feet of Jesus. It was against Jewish custom for a woman who is in charge of a public dining to appear in the presence of men with an unbound hair. But in the case of Mary, love was stronger than custom. And she was willing to use the valuable part of her person to serve the most base or dirtiest part of the body of Christ.
When someone would perceive the worth of Christ, not only he would love Him. He would display his great love.
And how would he show it?
First, like Mary, he would be willing to spend even his costly possession and lavishly used it for Christ.
Second, what would be valuable to him, he would prioritize Christ to avail of it.
Third, not only of what belongs to him but even the best part of him, he would use to promote the Worth of Christ.
And, perhaps, as the final topping, one who perceive the worth of Christ, he would avoid to be tempted by the worth of this world, represented especially by money.
Judas belonged in the inner circle of Jesus. He was even occupying a sensitive position in the ministry. He was “having charge of the moneybag” or the treasurer of the group. But he did not really appreciate the worth of Christ. What he could perceive was the worth of money. So that’s what he loved -- the collection that he could have.
According to the last part of verse 6, Judas “having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” The NLT states, “he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.”
Because of his love for money, he became a thief.
Because of his love for money, he displayed his hypocrisy. He said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” But according to the writer of the Gospel, “He said this, not because he cared about the poor, …” (verse 6.) What Judas said was a noble thing, but his motive was ignoble one. He expressed his concern for the poor, but his heart loved the money he intended to steal.
Because of his love for money, he fell into greater sin. He became a traitor against his master. It arrived at the point that Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Mary perceived the worth of Christ and displayed her great love for Him. On the other hand, Judas appreciated more the worth of money and exhibited how sinful he was. It was easy for him to commit various sins and more serious one.
The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Tim. 6:9-10, ESV).
In the NLT, we read verse 10: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” Judas was modelled of it.
How about us -- do we treasure the words in Hebrews 13:5? It says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’"
The first billionaire of America, John D. Rockefeller, in early part of his life, was not content even with his billions. He was asked, “How much money is enough?… what is the right amount?”
For Rockefeller the answer was “just a little bit more.”
Judas wanted to have more. He loved money. In our case, what we can display is our love for the One who promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Amen?
Like Mary, we can display our love for Him, if we perceive the worth of Christ.
For Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus had a great worth because He loved them. We read in John 11:5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus.”
Do we also know and believe that Jesus loved us?
Do we perceive the value of His words in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
For Mary, like her sister Lazarus, Jesus had a great worth because He is the Resurrection and the Life. Mary witnessed how Jesus gave Lazarus another life. In a spiritual sense, through the Spirit of Christ, we are also given another or new life now. And because of Christ, we can truly look forward that we can also experience resurrection from the dead.
For Mary, Jesus had great worth, because of the great power of His Word. When He said, “Come…” even the dead came out of the tomb. Do we also appreciate the power of His Word? Do we believe what He said, “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63)?
Truly, Christ’s worth will surely tower over the gold coins or bullions in this world. And His Worth is so evident, especially, if we consider that He is the “I Am” (John 8:58) in the Old Testament. He is not only a human Savior. He is the Divine Saviour.
Because of the worth of Jesus, Mary was able to display her great love for Christ then. In our time, as we perceive Jesus’ Worth, we can also exhibit our great love for Him.
As we display our love for Him, we can be willing also to spend even our costly possession and extravagantly used it for Christ -- for His body, the church (not the building, for the believers.)
Also, what is valuable to us -- our time, our saving, or whatever -- we can prioritize that the body of Christ will benefit.
And not only the valuable things that we have, we can also use what is best in us -- it can be our talent, our skill, our ability, our strength, or whatever gift we can use to promote the Worth of Christ.
Do not hide your love for Christ. Do not be ashamed to express it. Display your love for Him.
CONCLUSION:
In closing, let’s look at verse 7: “Jesus said, ’Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.’”
It was the reply of Jesus to the hypocritical comment of Judas.
Jesus rebuked Judas, “Leave her (Mary) alone…” Or, do not stop her from what she is doing.
“...so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” Usual understanding of that is to prepare Jesus for His burial. Some would say, to keep some of the perfume so it could be used for the coming burial of Jesus.
But the word “keep” does not suggest “to prepare.” And if the word “keep” refers to the perfume, there was nothing left of it.
I love how Dr. John Piper exegeted the verse. He implied that the keeping does not refer to the perfume. It refers to the exuberant expression of Mary for her great amazement, admiration, gratitude and love for the One who is the Resurrection and the Life. As if Jesus was saying, let Mary keep that moment in her heart, so that when she saw my dead body, she could remember I AM the Resurrection and the Life. It would be easy for Mary to believe that Christ would not remain in the grave.
So, let's continue to admire the worth of Jesus. Be more familiar with His Word, Let His Word dwell in us richly. And let no one or anything to prevent us from displaying our love for Him. The world wants us craving to become rich. God’s Word wants us craving to become rich in knowing the Worth of the Greatest Treasure. God’s Word wants us craving to display our great love for Jesus.
