Passion To The Christ
(Joh 11:34 KJVR) And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
(Joh 11:35 KJVR) Jesus wept.
(Joh 11:36 KJVR) Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
(Joh 11:37 KJVR) And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
(Joh 11:38 KJVR) Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
(Joh 11:39 KJVR) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
(Joh 11:40 KJVR) Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
(Joh 11:41 KJVR) Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
(Joh 11:42 KJVR) And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
(Joh 11:43 KJVR) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
(Joh 11:44 KJVR) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
(Joh 11:45 KJVR) Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Here we have witnessed one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. Jesus raising Lazerus from the dead. Today we are going to read about one of the greatest acts of worship in the Bible. Mary of Bethany anointing the feet of Jesus. So many of us get so wrapped up in our day to day and even Sunday to Sunday rituals, that we forget how to truly worship our wonderful Savior. Today we are going to go over 8 ways to make our worship of Him more effective. Turn with me in your Bibles to John 12:1-11.
(Joh 12:1 KJVR) Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
(Joh 12:2 KJVR) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
(Joh 12:3 KJVR) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
(Joh 12:4 KJVR) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
(Joh 12:5 KJVR) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
(Joh 12:6 KJVR) This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
(Joh 12:7 KJVR) Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
(Joh 12:8 KJVR) For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
(Joh 12:9 KJVR) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
(Joh 12:10 KJVR) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
(Joh 12:11 KJVR) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Let Us Pray.
How does this apply to us today?
This story in the Bible can show us how to truly worship Jesus.
Here are 8 Lessons of worship from this story.
1.) We should worship Jesus in His awesome power.
(Joh 12:1 KJVR) Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
1.) This is 6 days before Jesus is to be crucified.
2.) It is also the day before Jesus would ride triumphantly into Jerusalem.
3.) Calmet the Historian estimates this to be 2 months after Lazerus’ resurrection.
Jesus is the alpha and omega, beginning and end. He holds the keys to Heaven and hell. Nobody enters into Heaven except through Him. Do we ever stop and think about the awesome power of our Lord Jesus Christ? Do you ever stop and think of His awesome power of raising people from the dead? That He was resurrected from the dead. Death is powerless against Him. Worship His Awesome Power.
2.) We should worship Jesus as our top priority.
(Joh 12:2 KJVR) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
1.) Here Jesus is at Lazerus, Martha and Mary’s house. They make Him supper.
2.) This is not Simon the Lepers house in (Matt 26:2) and (Mark 14:3).
3.) This is 6 days before Passover. The other is 2 days.
4.) The lady here is Mary of Bethany. The other is a sinful woman, unnamed.
5.) Mary pours perfume on Jesus’ feet. The other on His head.
6.) These are clearly 2 different annointings.
7.) Here we have Martha serving as usual and missing out on Jesus’ fellowship(Luk 10:38).
8.) She is so involved in working, she misses precious time with Jesus.
9.) Notice who we have here, Lazerus. He is drinking, eating and talking.
10.) Clearly His resurrection was not an illusion.
Martha worked so hard for the Lord. But she missed out on the best moments of worship. Jesus appreciated her hard work but what He desired was time with her. Mary understood this. She was constantly at Her masters feet in worship. Does our time in our daily life reflect Jesus as our top priority? Do we honestly serve the Lord physically and forget His deepest desires for us is Spiritual? Do we get so wrapped up in serving the needs of the church and others, that it becomes a chore and not worship? Here is a true worship picture. Martha serving, Lazerus fellowshipping and Mary worshipping. Which one of these three pleased Jesus and made Him their top priority? Is Jesus your top priority? To answer that question look at where you spend your time and money.
3.) We should worship Jesus with all our passion.
(Joh 12:3 KJVR) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
1.) This is Mary of Bethany (Martha and Lazerus’ sister). Not sinful woman.
2.) She takes a pound of spikenard (roman pound= 12 oz.).
3.) Spikenard highly fragrant plant grown in India.
4.) Spikenard was a very expensive perfume used in baths and feasts.
5.) It was exhilarating and refreshing to have it used on you.
6.) It was one of the highest compliments to bestow on someone in the East.
7.) Picture this crowded, hot, muggy room and imagine the smell of it opened.
8.) Imagine the fragrance as it enveloped the house.
9.) Notice Martha serving, Lazerus eating and Mary worshipping.
Everyone in this room was wrapped up in everyday things in life. But Mary was busy worshipping her Lord and Savior. She was pouring herself out passionately at her masters feet. Notice Her passion. She cleans Jesus feet, which were no doubt very dirty from His travel to Bethany, with her hair. This, to me, is the most beautiful form of worship in the Bible. Are we passionate in our everyday walk with Jesus? Are we passionate in our worship of Him? Are your passions directed towards career, education, entertainment, hobbies, sports or loved ones? What you spend the most of your free time is the thing that your most passionate about? It is also the thing to which you direct your worship.
4.) We should worship Jesus and lose our pride.
(Joh 12:4 KJVR) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
1.) Notice the disciples clarifies Judas Iscariot son of Simon.
2.) Different from Judas the disciple son of James.
3.) Notice Mary pouring out her love and worship on Jesus. Preparing Him for burial.
4.) Notice Judas and His love of money, preparing to lead Jesus to death.
(Joh 12:5 KJVR) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
1.) 300 pence was equal to 300 Greek Denarri
2.) A denarri was equal to one days work for a labourer.
3.) So here we have perfume valued at 300 days wages.
4.) Notice Judas’ fake Godliness. All he really cares about is the money.
5.) John will point out his hypocrisy in the next verse.
(Joh 12:6 KJVR) This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
1.) He could care less about the poor, whether they had food, water or shelter.
2.) He only cared about himself.
3.) Does John seem a little harsh here? Next phrase.
4.) The bag used by musicians to keep their tongues and reeds while traveling.
5.) It was later commonly used to carry valuables while traveling.
6.) Here this bag is used to hold money for the disciples and the poor.
7.) Judas was trusted and put in charge of the bag.
8.) “Bare what was put therein”- simply put- stole whatever was put in it.
9.) He would steal as much as he thought would not be detected.
10.) He saw Jesus’ eminent death and 300 pence would have been nice.
Judas didn’t like God’s plan for His Messiah. He thought Jesus should redeem Israel militarily. His whole life was lived for himself. The Bible warns us against behaviors like this when it says you can not serve God and money. Do we give God control in our lives or do we let our pride get in the way? Or like Judas do we think we have a better idea? The Bible tells us that pride goes before a fall an no one fell harder than Judas. True worship is all about Jesus. There is no room for selfish pride. The Bible tells us to give ourselves truly to Him we have to die to self. John the Baptist put it best when he said He must increase and I must decrease.
5.) We should worship Jesus as our sole purpose.
(Joh 12:7 KJVR) Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
1.) Leave her alone she is preparing my body for burial.
2.) We do not know if she knew Jesus was going to die or not.
3.) I think she did. I think through her close fellowship with the Lord she knew.
4.) She knew her sole purpose was to adorn her Savior.
5.) She shows how precious Jesus is to her.
(Joh 12:8 KJVR) For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
1.) Jesus tells them His time is short, poor people will always be here.
2.) Pay attention to God who walks the earth, not the poor that will always be here.
3.) Jesus didn’t say poor weren’t important. His whole ministry revolved around the poor.
4.) Notice Our worship of Him is more important than our noblest works.
Mary’s whole purpose in this story is to worship Jesus. She doesn’t worry about cooking and serving, she is not concerned with what they are eating. Her sole purpose is worship. When we come to the Lord’s house on Sunday and Wednesday is our whole purpose to worship Jesus? Or is it to fellowship or serve the Lord in duty and ritual? Do we only worship God at Church? Or do we live every day as worship to our Lord and Savior?
6.) We should worship Jesus and our lives should proclaim Him.
(Joh 12:9 KJVR) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
1.) A large crowd had come to see Jesus and Lazerus.
2.) They had heard that Jesus would be at their house.
3.) It was easy to hear about. Jerusalem is only 2 miles from Bethany.
4.) They wanted to see the man who could raise the dead.
Lazerus’ life proclaimed the majesty of Jesus. He was a living witness to Jesus and His power and love. Lazerus was constantly tell others how Jesus had saved Him from the clutches of death. Do we constantly tell others how Jesus saved us from eternal death? Can others see Jesus in our everyday walk? Do we proclaim Him everyday and not just on Sunday and Wednesday? He raised us from the dead too. We should proclaim His holy name like Lazerus so that people will come to Him.
7.) We should worship Him in times of persecution.
(Joh 12:10 KJVR) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
1.) The Chief Priests had already decided to put Jesus to death.
2.) Now they are plotting Lazerus’ death.
3.) It shows how Satan will stop at nothing to destroy God’s message.
4.) Lazerus was dead for 4 days. They could not deny that. They had to rid Lazerus.
5.) As long as Lazerus was alive He was a living testament to Jesus’ divinity.
6.) Lazerus was hurting their religion.
Lazerus made such an impact in his witness of Jesus that the Chief Priests were wanting to kill him. Lazerus was a living testimony to Jesus. In America we are so fortunate that we can worship Jesus with minor persecution. Other countries in the world Christians are martyred for their faith. Are you willing to suffer minor consequences for your faith? Are you willing to lay down your life for Him? Do you see any persecution in your life right now? If not, you’d better evaluate your closeness to the Lord. If you are truly obedient to Christ, satan will come at you, guns a blazing.
8.) Our worship of Him should persuade others.
(Joh 12:11 KJVR) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
1.) Lazerus was such a testimony to Jesus’ power many were coming to believe.
2.) This man had been dead for 4 days and here he was living and breathing.
3.) The priest were beginning to fear a mass exodus form their religion.
4.) They had to do something in their desperation. Kill Jesus and kill Lazerus.
5.) Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Because of Lazerus and his testimony people were being persuaded to Jesus. Lazerus was a living witness to the power of Christ. His life persuaded others to Christ. Are you persuading others to Christ? You don’t have to be a preacher or an evangelist to lead others to Christ. Lazerus was just an ordinary person. God always uses ordinary people, read your Bible. Moses, Joseph, David and the disciples just to name a few. Lazerus was an ordinary joe. He was the brother of Martha and Mary nothing special. He had no training how to be a witness. All he had is what Jesus did for him in his life. Just like us, all we have is what Jesus has done for us in our lives. Jesus has raised us from the pits of hell. Tell others of how he has changed your life. Remember you are the only Bible some people will ever see. Live a walk that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. Are others persuaded to follow Christ because of the life you live. I promise you, every Christian in this room is being watched by someone. I love this sign – Preach the Gospel, use words if absolutely necessary. Live your life according to His word so that people will be persuaded to Him.
Closing
Invitation
