Mark 14:1-10
Betrayal – Sensitive Hearts – Indignation. In the Gospel of Mark we find this curious incident of the anointing of Jesus sandwiched in the middle of two sections on those who have a need to get rid of Jesus.
What we see is a great contrast here between those, probably don’t fully understand all about Jesus but lavish love on Jesus anyway. and those who also don’t fully understand Jesus, and so want him removed from life.
Full all out devotion to Jesus, bracketed by distain for Jesus
It hasn’t changed much has it?
So far we have learned about how we are. Very clearly we are not to be end times maniacs. People who are overly concerned with the end times. Yes, saw that bad things can happen to us:family may disown you,; You may be arrested and beaten and betrayed, because we are Christians
We started to see more of who Jesus is: We saw that Jesus is not impressed with what we are impressed with. We can be impressed with religious things, but he is also holy. Jesus is Divine. Awesome Divine
Overwhelming Divine
People out to remove Jesus.
Fruitland High School Atheists – Kick Jesus out of Idaho. They believe no one should mention the name – it is offensive. Question: If they believe Jesus is imaginary – what is the point? My high school – first to remove prayer form graduation in California. Why? A pastor had said – Jesus at a previous graduation. That next year a teacher who gave the address and spoke on things we can’t mention at graduation, “we cannot talk about God, so I won’t be talking about God" He talked about not talking about God. It was great.
Many times if I am asked to pray at a non-church event. Someone will slide up to me, usually right before the prayer and say: You know reverend, you can’t say the name of Jesus in your prayer - You might offend someone…..
Find this curious fact over and over: People want to remove Jesus….but never anyone else. Allah, Buddha, Krishna – no problem. Jesus – we have to do something My response is: thanks for the insight, and then exercise my freedom of speech.
So here we see the chief priests and the teachers of the law doing the same thing. We have to do something about Jesus - he is offensive -
Side Note: Controversy – movie the passion, some say it makes Jewish people look bad. Isn’t everyone Jewish in this story? Doesn’t Jesus ( who is Jewish) and the disciples (who are Jewish) make the Jewish people look pretty good?
The movie
1. Historically accurate.
2. Without a doubt what the Gospels say
3. Not a lot of Norwegians around
4. Hebrews, Romans, Greeks
5. Everyone is Jewish – especially Jesus
Some might say: this was written this way to get back at the Jews. Majority of NT church was Jewish Actually: because of things like this (we’ll look at another today) it actually reinforces accuracy of bible. An edited text would clean up things like this.
Let’s look at the concern of the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Passover was 14-15 April or May. Feast of Unleavened Bread 15-21.
When all this is happening it is thought of as the week of Passover.
Leaders felt concern – and rightly so. Recalling mighty acts of God salvation in history might inspire thoughts of revolt. Their actions reflect a history of Passover disturbances, usually a riot with many deaths. They do not want to anger the Romans. If they do they will be pushed out.This will disrupt the Pox Romana (roman peace) -Pride of the Romans.
The leaders have built up to their decision to get rid of Jesus. It is not a whim. They plot his destruction in when he tells about destruction of temple 11:8. They demand to know by what authority 11:27. And here in verse 1-2 they start to take action. Next: They will participate in Jesus; arrest v 43; they will be present at hearing with high priest 53;
They will mock Jesus on cross 15:31. They want to take Jesus by surprise - stealth. Their intention: sneak up and take him. But how?
This shows Jesus was more than a nuisance, he was a threat, they thought to their worldly power was threatend. Reality, He was a threat spiritually. These men were unwittingly being used – by spiritual forces.
We find this today with the Kick Jesus out of Idaho people - Jesus not just a nuisance, but a threat....Spiritually – though they would never acknowledge this. This is why it should never be a surprise to us, thier extreme reaction - Jesus causes this kind of reaction. Don’t worry – Jesus will prevail. Tell kids they can’t pray in school – what do they do?
Pray in school. Usually these things are not doors closing – but door opening for Christ.
Let us keep in mind: The Leaders have checked out Jesus but they do not understand him, so they must get rid of him. When Jesus appears in our life there can be two reactions - gotta have him, gotta get rid of him.
So Jesus is eating at Simons house, Verse 3. Simon the Leper, it is hiighly unlikely he still had leprosy, he may have been, but now cleansed. Otherwise he would not have guests over. Perhaps he was healed by Jesus and so Jesus is more than welcome. Simon the Leper in fact may be simply a nickname- the Goliaths – tall family.
Nicknames. The Reverend Rock given to me by my secretary at the last church. The older people loved it. Would shake my hand after service.
Good job Rev Rock
Jesus is reclined. Low tables, carpet pillows..traditional picture of last supper – fiction - Why are they only on one side of the table anyway? This woman shows up and places perfume, an ointment on Jesus.Very expensive....
Maple Syrup
In our house - Real – for mom and dad. The fake, Log cabin – for kids.
They pour way too much.
She broke the Jar. Usually when this was done, the neck of the jar was broken, so everything had to be used. Nothing was held back, she wasn’t giving a little, she was giving all. What was her frame of mind, what was her intention? Whatever it was one thing is clear: This was her most valued item – and she offered it to Jesus.
It is highly unlikely that her intention was to anoint Jesus for his burial.
Verse 8, but clearly Mark is telling us she is
You know…many of the acts of generosity that we perform, we may think they are of little significance, but they may be an action of God, God using you to accomplish his glory – though you may not see it. Jesus is thrilled by all this. Why? I think Jesus love to see us give our all.
Symbolically – she emptied herself, she gave her best – gave it all. Did she know what Jesus was all about? Could she explain theologically or otherwise? She knew, she sensed something others did not. I believe she was sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Is this telling the church to be extravagant? We’ll look at that in a moment. First let’s see the reactions to her:
The Righteous Indignation, (That’s what would Jesus would do….people think….), probably the disciples maybe others thought this. Perhaps they were trying to look good because that was the answer Jesus might expect.
You remember the WWJD craze. n some ways noble. In some ways – helped some people focus. Theologically, however, it was incorrect.
Jesus has full authority, to bless, to judge, to heal….We do not. Jesus is on a different level, way different. But we go there anyway – don’t we?
You hear it a lot today: Jesus wouldn’t listen to rock music, rap, hillbilly - whatever kind of music might offend you. Jesus wouldn’t eat meat – he would be a vegetarian (my favorite – Ha). Jesus would ………
They rebuked her. Go away you nut case. What a waste.
I love Jesus response. Verse 6. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
How would you like to hear that from Jesus? Jesus appreciates her effort, even if no one else does. That is how we are to operate. To please Jesus – whatever others think. I think this woman had courage.
My guess is she expected a response like this from others She had more courage than many of us.
These folks were placing their agendas on this woman. The idea of the poor – was in their minds.
What Does Jesus Mean - The Poor Will Always Be With Us? So is Jesus saying, you are authorized to spend in my name, be extravagant - no.
Jesus is saying - I will not always be with you, she has taken an opportunity...In essence he might be saying, you have not taken the opportunity..
Wow. Heavy. Two responses we see: 1. nothing. 2. I give up
Judas is ready to betray. From his perspective it is Jesus who has given up the cause. He goes to the authorities. Judas probably thought that he would carry on and find the one who would lead the nation out of tyranny. He is doing what he thinks is best - Kick Jesus out of Idaho
How could have Mark left this in? Was Jesus Stupid? Judas – one of the most trusted twelve. This makes Jesus look bad, how could he have picked Judas if he was divine? By Mark leaving this in, it shows the accuracy of what we have.
Is this the end for Judas? No. We’ll see that Jesus knows what is up. Yet he is still includes Judas even in the most important meal ever.
Jesus doesn’t always act as we think he might or as we think he should.
He loves it when we give him our all. Yet we should be careful to assume, we know what Jesus would do. People have been out to get rid of Jesus since the beginning.
But you just can’t keep a good man down.
Next Week: Invitation To Dinner
