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A pound of very costly oil of spikenard

Text: John 12; Matthew 26:1-13; Mark 14:1-9
21 December 2008

(I) THERE WERE MANY WHO DID NOT GIVE GLORY TO JESUS

1. Those who did not understand Him and turned away

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” John 6:66

2. Those who vigorously opposed Him all the way

“Then the Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ ” John 8:48

(II) A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF GIVING GLORY TO JESUS

1. Giving glory first entails a certain possession

a) Of an enduring faith in Jesus

b) Of a pure love for Jesus

c) Of a deep understanding of the Mission of Jesus

2. Giving glory can be expressed without a word spoken

a) Mary offered a special gift to Jesus without saying a word

b) Her act of humble worship

i) Giving of a costly fragrant oil of spikenard ( John 12:3, 5 )

ii) Anointing the feet of Jesus ( John 12:3 )

iii) Wiping the feet of Jesus with her hair ( John 12:3 )

c) Her act of giving

i) In the context of indignation of the disciples of Jesus

ii) In the context of sharp criticism

iii) In the context of giving to the poor (as a supposedly better alternative)

(III) THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GIFT BY JESUS

1. In contrast the objection of the Disciples

“But one of His disciples. Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” John 12:4-5

“But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” Matthew 26:8-9

“…And they criticized her sharply.” Mark 14:5

2. A Commendation of great Value

a) A rebuke of the disciples ( Matthew 26:10a )

b) Commendation of “a good work” ( Matthew 26:10b )

c) Praise for her understanding of the Mission of Jesus that would lead to His death

“For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.” Matthew 26:12

d) Her act of love would be told “as a memorial to her” ( Matthew 26:13 )

(IV) A CHALLENGE TO DO SOMETHING DEEPLY MEANINGFUL FOR JESUS

1. Take time to think deeply

2. Make definite plans to fulfill the deed determined