100%
MARK 14:3-9
INTRODUCTION: On the evening prior to what is called the Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday, our Lord Jesus Christ was a dinner guest in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany about two miles southeast of Jerusalem along with Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. At the dinner while Martha was busy and active with serving, Mary took an alabaster container or perfume vase filled with pure nard, an expensive aromatic ointment, most likely imported from India, and breaking it open anointed the head and feet of Christ. Mary’s action demonstrated total commitment and love for Christ giving Him 100%.
I. She gave what she had.
A. Mark 14:8 Literally "What she had, she did."
B. What she had in her heart, and in the power of her hands to do; she did according to her ability.
C. Mary’s and Martha’s talents and abilities were quite different. Martha was a multi-talented woman who is seen busy in service. Mary didn’t have the talents that Martha had but she what she did have she gave.
D. Mary took her most precious and prized possession and sacrificed it for Jesus.
E. She gave 100% of what she had – she gave it all to Christ.
F. God does not expect you to give or do MORE than you can; but He does expect you to give and do ALL that you can!
G. In 1927, 15-year-old Lois Secrist promised God she’d become a missionary. But she married Galon Prater, a farmhand who became a heavy drinker, when she was twenty-three. Years later, Galon did become a Christian just before his death in 1988 at age 80. After Galon’s death, Lois’s childhood desire of becoming a missionary returned. At first she resisted. At age 76, she felt her opportunity to serve as a missionary had slipped away. "I said, ’Lord, I’m too old to go now. I can’t do this,’" Lois admitted. But this great grandmother was determined to follow the Lord’s calling. So after several more years, at age 87 Lois Prater became the unlikely builder of an orphanage in the Philippines. It has become a lifeline to 35 children whose lives previously consisted of begging in the streets. Lois built the orphanage without taking out a loan, relying instead on individual financial support from across the United States. Because of her age, she is not supported by any church denomination and depends solely on private donations. When asked if that makes her nervous, Lois replies: "I serve a mighty God. He’s in control. I feel I’m not talented enough to do any of this. But God enables me. My responsibility is to do what I can." What has the Lord called you to do? Today in prayer, give Him this day and do all that you can do for Christ. – Peter Kennedy, Devotional E-Mail, Devotions In Genesis, pkennedy@devotional.com
H. "I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been satisfied himself." - Watchman Nee
II. She gave without regard to the cost
A. Oils and perfumes were used widely in the ancient world. Guests entering a house would customarily be given water and a towel to wash their faces, hands, and feet. Often there would be oil to wipe on the dry, parched skin as well. A flask of oil that normally was used to anoint the heads and feet of guests cost one mite, the smallest coin in use at that time. However, Mary chose to use oil that only kings and wealthy individuals used sparingly only a drop at a time, costing 300 denarii per flask or bottle, the equivalent of the average annual worker’s wages.
B. Mark 14:3 MKJV states that Mary "came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and POURED it on His head."
C. Mary gave freely not a drop at a time without thoughts to what it cost her. In doing so she was expressing that nothing is as precious as or more important than Jesus Christ. So often we give ourselves to God one drop at a time and wonder why He does not use or bless us more. Mary gave 100% realizing the greatest value of life is to not to be found in things but in Jesus Christ.
D. Hebrews 11:26 NKJV Moses esteemed "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt…"
E. Matthew 6:21 NKJV For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
F. It happened one time after a pastor had made an appeal in church for a great and worthy cause, that a certain woman, a member of the church, came to him and handed him a check for $50, asking at the same time if her gift was satisfactory. The pastor immediately replied, "If it represents you." There was a moment of soul-searching thought and she asked to have the check returned to her. She left with it and a day of two later she returned handing the pastor a check for $5,000 and again asked the same question, "Is my gift satisfactory?" The pastor gave the same answer as before, "If it represents you." As before, a truth seemed to be driving deeply. After a few moments of hesitation she took back the check and left. Later in the week she came again with a check. This time it was for $50,000. As she placed it in the pastor’s hand, she said, "After earnest, prayerful thought, I have come to the conclusion that this gift does represent me and I am happy to give it." – elbourne.org Illustration
III. She gave without regard of others’ opinions
A. Whenever you attempt to do something for God be fully aware that you will be criticized and most likely from within the ranks of the church.
B. John 15:20 NKJV Remember the word that I said to you, ’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
C. Mark 14:4-5 NKJV But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.
D. When Mary offered her sacrifice of praise to Christ not everyone was happy. The disciples were angry and murmured against her. According to John’s gospel, Judas initially made the complaint against Mary of Bethany, but all the apostles joined in the chorus of criticism of the wasteful extravagance against her.
E. John 12:6 MKJV He said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and held the moneybag and carried the things put in.
F. English evangelist George Whitefield (1714-1770) learned that it was more important to please God than to please men. Knowing that he was doing what was honoring to the Lord kept him from discouragement when his enemies falsely accused him. At one point in his ministry, Whitefield received a vicious letter accusing him of wrongdoing. His reply was brief and courteous: "I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, George Whitefield." He didn’t try to defend himself. He was much more concerned about pleasing the Lord. Our Daily Bread, August 18, 1992
G. Being criticized is not a problem if you develop a positive way of dealing with it. Winston Churchill had the following words of Abe Lincoln framed on the wall of his office: "I do the very best I can, I mean to keep going. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me won’t matter. If I’m wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won’t make a difference." Bits & Pieces, April 29, 1993, p. 15-16
H. If you are a Christian, you can expect folks to criticize, but you ought to live so nobody will believe them.
IV. She gave with no thought of return
A. Mark 14:3 NKJV …she broke the flask and poured it on His head (Unique to Mark broke = συντρίβω, suntribō to crush completely, that is, to shatter, break to shivers)
B. She most likely broke the narrow neck of the vase holding the ointment and poured it out. In doing so there was a commitment to use 100% of what she had for Christ. There was no way that she could recover any of the oil or reuse the container. She gave with no thought of return. She did not hold back or expect anything in return.
C. One of the dangers of the popular "Prosperity Gospel" and the "health and wealth" gospel movement is that it teaches getting as a motivation in giving. While it is true Christ said "Give and it shall be given to you…", getting never should be our motivation for service.
D. Philippians 3:8 NKJV Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
E. What is hindering you from unreservedly "selling out to God"? ...He must always and evermore be first in your life. If He is not, then you are guilty of idolatry - you are unfaithful in your marriage covenant with Him - your heart is estranged from Him - you have forsaken Him for idols - you are guilty of seeking your portion in this life rather than in Him. He is not your all-in-all. - Connie Giordano, Walking in Truth
F. Mark 8:36 NKJV For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
V. She gave in response to what Christ gave
A. I believe Mary’s was eternally grateful for Christ having raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. She loved Him for His love and what He had done for her.
B. When Mary anointed Jesus, she wasn’t looking for a place in the spotlight. She wasn’t trying to win the applause of the crowd. What she did was done because of her overwhelming love for the Lord.
C. Is your motive for serving Him out of love and appreciation for all He has done and is doing for you daily?
D. 1 John 4:19 NKJV We love Him because He first loved us.
E. Pure love rises above considerations of thrift and gives without reservation.
F. Mark 14:8 NKJV ...She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
G. Some commentators like John Gill believe that Mary understood what Christ had said about His forthcoming sacrificial death and came intending to anoint him, and, as it were, to perform the funeral rites before he was dead. She was looking forward to what Christ was about to do. She gave 100% because Christ gave 100%.
H. If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him. – Charles Thomas Studd (1862-1931)
VI. She was rewarded for her giving
A. John 12:3 NKJV Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
B. When you give God what you have he will cause the fragrance of your life to fill the world around you.
C. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (Paraphrased) Thank God, who always causes us to have victory in Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us like a sweet-smelling perfume to spread His knowledge. To God we are the sweet fragrance of Christ to both those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.
D. When we give 100%, unreservedly to the Lord, God uses that as an encouragement to others and magnifies the work of God.
CONCLUSION: Mary gave 100%. What she had she did. What she possessed she gave. Have you given Christ your all? What are you doing with what you have? Are you giving 100%?
