Study in John’s Gospel

Study in John’s Gospel Presentation 45

Extravagant Love Chap 12v1-8 Presentation 45

Introduction On Remembrance Sunday in the western world we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in defence of their nations’ freedom. Our Bible passage also speaks about remembranceand describes two acts of sacrifice. The first was made by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. And the second, the greatest sacrifice the world has known, made by our Lord Jesus Christ. John, the gospel writer, wants us to understand how these two sacrifices are tied together for the first sheds light on the second and the second helps us to understand the first. Presentation 45

Anointed For Burial Jesus appears to be attending a "thank-you" supper for the raising of Lazarus. This was no ordinary meal. The thing that the disciples remembered about it more than anything else was Mary’s action in v3 "Mary took a pound of costly perfumed ointment, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair". What is happening? This supper marks a significant event at the beginning of the last week of Jesus’ life. He was symbolically set apart for burial by the only follower, who really understood what lay ahead of him. Presentation 45

Anointed For Burial Previously, when Jesus had spoken of his death, his disciples had failed to understand its necessity and importance. And even now, as the reality of the cross consumed more of Jesus’ thinking, his disciples are absorbed in selfish speculation. They argued among themselves about, who would be greatest in his kingdom. How insensitive and unsupportive! The awful agony that Jesus would endure upon the cross did not register with them but it did with Mary! By breaking open her box of perfume over Jesus she showed him that she understood. How do we explain the depth of her spiritual understanding? Quite simply she is always to be found at Jesus’ feet. Presentation 45

Anointed For Burial If we do not know very much about spiritual things, is it because we do not spend much time at Jesus’ feet? If we want to grow strong spiritually, then we must learn from Jesus. You may say, “We do not live when Mary lived we cannot sit at Jesus feet today.” Oh but we can as we study Scripture. In the Hebrew idiom, ‘sitting at someone's feet’ meant to learn from that person. That’s what Mary did. She drank in all Jesus had to teach. Do we spend time really studying our Bibles? Presentation 45

Anointed For Burial Years ago a young boy, was travelling by train with a well-known Bible teacher. The teacher was reading his Bible and the boy a newspaper. Finally, the boy looked at his companion and said,“I wish I knew the Bible as well as you do.” The teacher smiled and said, “You never will by constantly reading the newspaper.” The boy began to give more time to Bible reading. In time he too became a well-known Bible teacher. Of course not all will become Bible teachers but if we want to become more spiritually aware, then we need to become increasingly familiar with this book. Presentation 45

Extravagant Love Mary’s action is also remembered because it was extravagant. Her gift was worth a whole year’s wages, around £17,000 in today’s money. It was an extravagant gift but then extravagance is the language of love. If a young man takes his fiancée out to an Iranian restaurant for a meal and orders for himself Fesenjan, the most expensive meal on the menu, and for her a cheese sandwich, she might begin to question his love? Love wants to give the best. When Christians grumble about their service for Jesus, saying, “It takes up so much of my time and effort”, is that the language of love? Surely not? Presentation 45

Extravagant Love Mary’s gift was extravagant but it was not impetuous. Sometimes we offer gifts without giving too much thought to what we’re doing. And afterwards we ask, “What have I done?” We can get carried away in the heat of the moment. “Take it, take it”. We don’t think about what we have given. Afterwards we may regret our action but to save face we cannot withdraw our offer. Mary was not impetuous! She had given this matter a lot of thought. Jesus makes it clear in v7 that Mary had intended to use her perfume for this very purpose for some time. Long before she had set it aside for the day of his burial. Presentation 45

Extravagant Love Mary’s love was extravagant only because it was informed. Mary had much to be thankful for. Jesus had recently raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. But that is not the explanation for her extravagance! It was what Jesus was about to do for her, rather than what he had already done that made her act as she did. She knew that the crucifixion was imminent. She knew that Jesus was determined to die for his people including her! And this gift is given in answer to the question: "What can I do to show Jesus that I love him and understand what he is doing for me, for us?" Presentation 45

Extravagant Love So she took her most precious possession and said, "I'll give Him that! Not just a drop but the whole thing. By breaking the container I will make it clear that I am holding nothing back for myself". Do you know the expression “those who love most, see furthest”? Well, Mary saw further than the other disciples and as we gain insight into the significance of the cross of Christ will our response be extravagant commitment. C.T. Studd played cricket for England. He was very wealthy but gave up fame and fortune to serve as a missionary overseas. When his action was criticised, he wrote these words in his diary: “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, can any sacrifice be too great for me to make for him”. Presentation 45

Extravagant Love Are you extravagant in your love for Jesus? Many Christians hold back from extravagant commitment. Jesus is excluded from many areas of their lives, from certain decisions and relationships. They fear that their happiness will be seriously damaged if Jesus is given free access. Instead, he meets a series of “No Entry” signs, which have been posted up on various doors in their lives. I have never met a Christian who has said, 'I wish I had not given myself so enthusiastically to Jesus, for my life has become impoverished as a result’. Presentation 45

A Disciple’s Criticism Mary's spiritual insight wasn’t shared by Judas. He viewed Mary’s extravagant love as a pitiful waste, “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” v5.What do Judas’ words reveal? His criticism sounds so plausible - 'the need of the poor!' But behind this lies his own greedy, grasping hand. All he could see was waste, money to burn! The irony is that it was Judas who was guilty of waste. He wasted Jesus’ instruction, love and grace and the opportunity becoming a loyal disciple. Following Jesus for financial gain he could understand, but to give and not to count the cost – that was totally beyond his comprehension. Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response Jesus was not slow to come to Mary's defence. 'Leave her alone‘, he says, before commenting on the value of her service. Where Judas saw waste Jesus saw beauty. Mark’s record reads, 'she has done a beautiful thing!‘ Mk.14.6.She encouraged Jesus, when he needed it most and before it was too late. Often our service comes very late in the day. Like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimatheawho brought 100lb of spices to embalm the dead body of Jesus. If they had publicly declared their love sooner, might they have encouraged Jesus on his way to the cross? Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response People are often late in expressing gratitude to their friends. A minute’s encouragement to someone when they’re still alive is more useful than an hour long eulogy once they’re dead! Will life pass you by before you are able to do anything beautiful for Jesus? You may answer, ‘I’m not in a position to do much for Jesus’. In Mk. 14v8 Jesus commends Mary saying, 'She did what she could'. Mary was not as gifted as her sister. She did not have Martha's domestic skills. Mary’s area of service was extremely limited. But she did what she could! Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response Mary’s extravagant act brought blessing to others, "the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." How did that fragrance spread? Mary wiped Jesus’ perfumed feet with her hair and carried the fragrance of her gift with her. When she gave her gift with no thought of herself she had no idea that she might be the means of sharing blessing with others. Is your life a blessing to others? Does the fragrance of Jesus cling to your life? If not then do what Mary did, bow down and pour out your life before Jesus. Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response The story is told of a little boy, who was given a large red juicy apple. He wanted it all for himself and so went into the garden to eat it. But before he could take a bite, he heard the voices of friends approaching. He did not want to share his apple so he hid it. This happened day after day. Then one day he was completely alone and he retrieved his apple from its hiding place. It was no longer red or juicy. It was rotten. It had been eaten by worms! When we selfishly hold onto our life and its blessings we lose them. Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response Both Matthew and Mark record Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Mark 14v9. Mary's act was to be a lasting memorial of her love for Jesus. Whatever else happened during the meal has been forgotten but Mary’s act has been remembered. You don’t need to have a monument built with your name on it to be remembered. Instead, build an extravagant love for Jesus into your life. Share your possessions and yourself. What did Jesus say? “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” Mark 8v35. Presentation 45

Jesus’ Response I read recently of a man who had always wanted to be a preacher but he had no gift for it. He was a successful businessman and wanted to be involved in Christian work. So he helped open up a city shelter for homeless people. At weekends, he would roll up his sleeves, take a bucket of water and clean the chairs and floor. No one knew of his service. Then one day two junior colleagues passed by and saw him scrubbing away. They were appalled, and said, ‘a man in your position shouldn’t be doing this.’ He replied, “I want to do it for Jesus sake”. You see it is not what we do that is important but that we do what we do from hearts fully surrendered to Jesus. Presentation 45

Conclusion Jesus does not expect everyone to bring him the same kind of service. We all have different gifts. Have you ever said to him, “I'm really very ordinary but all I am I give to you”.That is the sort of extravagant love in which Jesus delights! Extravagant love means something different for each one of us. For parents it may mean allowing their child to serve God overseas. For some it may mean putting our service for God before our desire to accumulate wealth. It may mean opening up our home to offer Christian hospitality to those who are lonely and in need of encouragement. Presentation 45

Conclusion It could also mean giving valuable time to engage in mission with your church. “But” you say “that might mean having to let go of many other things that I have worked for.” Only from this world’s perspective! Ask yourself, ‘What is it I hold dear?’ Would you be prepared to make that available to Jesus? Mary is remembered for her extravagant love. How will you be remembered? Some time ago I attended the funeral service of a friend. As the minister began to speak of her life he said this, “There’s one thing we all know about her; she loved Jesus”. What an epitaph. I can think of none greater. Can you? Presentation 45

Study in John’s Gospel