Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 3 April 2022

Text: John 12:1-8

Subject: Post Resurrection of Lazarus

Focus: The Understanding and Adoration of Mary

INTRODUCTION

1. Pre-Resurrection of Lazarus

a) Difficulty of the Disciples to understand what Resurrection meant

b) Difficulty also for the sisters of Lazarus

i) Martha

ii) Mary

2. Resurrection of Lazarus by the Lord Jesus

a) Even the Jews believed when they saw the Lord Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11:45)

b) If these Jews could believe, then there was great impact on

i) The Disciples

ii) Martha

iii) Mary

SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER

1. The Lord Jesus visited Bethany

2. He and His Disciples were given Supper in the home of Lazarus (John 12:2a)

a) Martha served

b) Lazarus sat at the Supper table (John 12:2b)

A SPECIAL GIFT FROM MARY

1. The Gift of Mary described

A pound of very costly oil of spikenard (John 12:3a)

2. What she did with the Gift

a) She anointed the feet of the Lord Jesus (John 12:3b)

b) She wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3c)

3. The fragrance of the oil

a) It was obviously of good quality

b) The whole house was filled its fragrance (John 12:3d)

4. Mary did not say a word

a) Did she need to say anything?

b) This was how Mary communicated 

5. What were some of the things she could have said to the Lord Jesus?

a) Her sorrow

i) Her misgiving

ii) Her lack of trust

iii) Her words to the Lord Jesus

b) Her renewed faith

i) Lazarus was resurrected

ii) The Power of the Lord Jesus was unquestionable

iii) The Love of the Lord Jesus was incredible

c) Her deepened love for the Lord Jesus

i) Her faith was restored

ii) Her love for the Lord Jesus increased

iii) The expression of that love was seen in her Gift

JUDAS ISCARIOT CANDIDLY DESCRIBED

1. He was called “one of His disciples” (John 12:4a)

a) Chosen

b) Befriended

c) Taught

d) Entrusted 

2. Also identified as “Simon’s son” (John 12:4b)

a) Some familiarity evidenced

b) He was not totally unknown 

3. Further described as the one “Who would betray Him” (John 12:4c)

a) He had no reason to betray the Lord Jesus

b) He had every reason to be loyal to the Lord

THE CRITICAL REMARK OF JUDAS ISCARIOT

 ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

⁶ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

John 12:5-6

1. Criticism of Mary and her gift

a) Did he have a right to even make this hurtful remark?

b) He was a guest in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary

2. Evaluation of this critical remark

a) Uncalled for

b) Rude

c) Insensitive

3. The Cost of the Gift

a) Swiftly evaluated

b) It could have fetched 300 denarii

4. The money could have been given to the poor

a) It seems as if Judas cared for the poor

b) And that this remark was well-intentioned

JOHN’S COMMENT

1. Judas did not care for the poor

2. He was in charge of the money box

a) He was used to taking money out of the box

b) He did not think that others would have noticed

c) He was a thief! (John 12:6)

THE DEFENCE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

⁷ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.

⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

John 12:7-8

1. The Lord Jesus openly defended Mary

2. The Disciples were rebuked

a) Judas was not alone in criticising Mary

b) The other Disciples agreed with him

c) They criticised her sharply (Mark 14:5b)

3. His explanation

a) Mary had done this knowing that the Lord Jesus would die soon

b) She would not be the one who would anoint the Lord Jesus at His death

c) The Disciples had not fully understood His teaching about His death

4. The remark about caring for the Poor

a) There will always be poor people to care for

b) But they would not have the Lord Jesus with them much longer

CONCLUSION 

1. Post Events

a) These are not unimportant

b) Many important events are often not followed through

2. People who followed through

a) Lazarus

b) Martha

c) Mary

Each had his own way of expressing faith!

3. A solemn reality

a) The Disciples were still not fully mature

b) Judas turned out to be a betrayer!