SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:1-11 (ESV)
DATE: 3-20-22
It’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main campus — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too.
SERIES INTRODUCTION
We’re jumping back into the gospel of Mark today. We’re beginning part two of our “This is the End” series. When we returned to Mark — back in February — Jesus began teaching on the end times — that was part one of our series. Today — we begin the final days of Jesus’ life — the final days leading up to his death and resurrection — we’re headed towards the end of his life and ministry. So let’s turn to our passage for today.
ANNOUNCE THE TEXT
If you have your Bible please turn with me to Mark chapter 14. We’ll be looking at verses 1-11. We’re in Mark chapter 14. Beginning in verse 1.
“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” 3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Mark 14:1-11 ESV)
SERMON INTRODUCTION
As a reminder — and to give us all some context — we’re in the final week of Jesus’ life. Earlier — in the week — Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He went in and inspected the temple and later cleared the temple out from all the corruption going on as God’s house of prayer had been turned into a house of thieves. Jesus predicted his death — which wasn’t the first time he did this in Mark’s gospel. Then he spoke about his resurrection. There was a beautiful moment — when he pointed out a poor widow to his disciples — as she gave all she had to live on to God. Then he taught his disciples about what to expect in the end times.
And — now — we’re two days away from the Passover. Just days away from his crucifixion.
And — in our text — as we see events unfolding that lead up to the death of Christ — in our verses we find two different groups and see what they’re doing in these days leading up to Christ’s death. One group is plotting to kill Jesus — a group that includes one of his disciples — while the other group is present as Jesus is anointed for his death and burial — and the disciple — the one who will betray Jesus — is in this group as well.
But what I want us all to be aware of — is what Jesus is doing during all of this. He’s days away from his death — which he knows is coming — yet he continues to faithfully fulfill everything written about him in Scripture — even taking the time to be anointed for his death — while he knows his murder is being plotted. And this should give us — those who follow Christ — great assurance, comfort, and confidence because Jesus knew everything that was going on — and yet — in love he didn’t stop the plans of his opponents. He didn’t stop himself from being anointed for burial. He didn’t go on the run and try to avoid what was about to happen to him.
Instead — he faithfully and lovingly fulfills all of Scripture in order to rescue his people — including you — if you believe in him — he faithfully and lovingly fulfills all of Scripture in order to rescue his people even at the cost of his life.
You see — what I want you to notice here — is Jesus being intentional about two things. First, he’s intentional about being present with his disciples even when the circumstances he faced were beyond difficult. And — second — Jesus remains faithful to his Heavenly Father’s purpose for his life even when it means he must die.
So as we read about Jesus being betrayed and being anointed to die — I want you to keep in mind this question: What is God’s purpose for you right now in this season of life? Jesus knew God’s purpose for him in this incredibly difficult season — a season of death for him. And my question for you is this: Are you aware of God’s purpose for you in the season of life you’re in — right now — whatever season it may be?
Now — I have no idea what season you’re in.
- Maybe you’ve recently experienced the end of a relationship — or you’re in the beginning of a new one.
- Maybe you’ve just been told of a major health issue you have — or have been given the news that you’re cancer free.
- Maybe this season of parenting is hard — or maybe you’re celebrating the birth of a grandchild.
- Maybe you’re in the midst of feeling uncertain due to the loss of a job — or have had a job promotion and are excited for the new possibilities.
- Maybe all you’re focusing on is getting your cute little kitten into his cat carrier so you can take him to the vet and you’re wondering who’s going to win the war this time around — cat or cat owner — if you listen to our podcast — you know who I’m talking about.
But here’s the question: How will you know if you are being faithful — if you’re unaware of God’s purpose for you — right now — in this season of your life?
THE PLOT TO BETRAY
Let’s keep our question in mind as we return to verse 1 — the moment when a plot is being made to betray Jesus.
“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”… [And skipping to verse 10 — we read…] 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Mark 14:1-2, 10-11 ESV)
The final days leading up to Jesus’ death. Mark devotes half of his gospel to this final week of Jesus’ life. But here — in our verses — the plot to betray Jesus — is being formed which will lead to his suffering, death, burial, and — ultimately — to his resurrection — all elements that are core to the Christian faith.
And — you should know that the timing of all of this isn’t random. God — in his providence — has orchestrated all of these events according to his eternal plan. Now — you may be thinking — “Josh, remind me again. What exactly is God’s providence?” The Westminster Confession of Faith has this to say about the providence of God.
“God, who created everything, also upholds everything. He directs, regulates, and governs every creature, action, and thing, from the greatest to the least, by his completely wise and holy providence. He does so in accordance with his infallible foreknowledge and the voluntary, unchangeable purpose of his own will, all to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy…God is the first cause, and in relationship to him everything happens unchangeably and infallibly.” Infallibly means “without mistakes or error.”
So God — by his providence — has orchestrated everything that has or will happen to Jesus — and yet — Jesus’ opponents have no idea that what they’re doing is the will of God — they’re just acting according to their hatred of him.
But — you may wonder — why now? Why is now the right time — from their perspective — to finally go on the attack? Well — as Mark reminds us — we’re two days away from the Passover — which means that the city of Jerusalem is starting to bust at the seams with visitors who are in town for this important Jewish festival. The city’s population — usually around 50,000 people — will soar to over 200,000 during the Passover feast. And Jesus’ opponents know that he can attract quite the crowd and stir things up with his teachings and miracles. So — before things get out of hand — from their perspective — now’s the time to act and go on the attack.
So that’s the view from Jesus’ opponents. From our view — we can see how God is orchestrating Jesus’ sacrificial death to align with the Passover — the time when the Jewish people remember the story of God rescuing them out of their enslavement in Egypt. You may remember that on the night — before they left Egypt — the Israelites had the first Passover meal where they sacrificed a lamb and put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes so the angel — sent to execute the final plague of judgment — the death of all firstborn sons — would pass over their homes.
And — for centuries — the Jewish people have annually gathered together to remember the Exodus rescue. As they ate the Passover meal — they’d remember how God substituted a lamb in place of their firstborn sons — thus none of the Jewish firstborns died that night in Egypt. The passover lamb died in their place.
And — it’s as this meal is just days away — that Jesus — the firstborn Son of God — is being anointed to be sacrificed as the Lamb of God whose blood will be shed so that — all who turn to him in faith — will have the wrath of God — and his judgment for their sins — pass over them. Just like the blood on the doorposts for the Israelites in Egypt — all who turn to Christ — in faith — will have his blood cover them so that God’s wrath and judgment passes over them. Christ becomes their substitute — just like the passover lamb was the substitute who died in place of the Jewish firstborn sons. Or — as the apostle Paul describes this glorious news — “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)
Or as John the baptist says — upon seeing Jesus — “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b NLT)
God — before the world existed — decreed that his Divine Son would be the Lamb slain to take away our sin. Jesus’ opponents are fulfilling God’s plan as they plot to have him killed. And while all of this plotting is going on — Jesus trusts his Father’s perfect plan — even though he knows it will cost him pain, misery, agony, and — ultimately — his life — for he knows that this is his Father’s purpose for him.
How would you respond if you knew you were in your final days and pain and misery and agony and your death are all that’s left before you? Would you be at peace? Would you be hopeful? Would you have joy? Or would you be angry and bitter — would you be afraid? How would you respond if you knew that all that you were facing was God’s purpose for you — what would your response be then?
How are you responding — right now — in this season of life? What’s God’s purpose for you in all that’s going on? Have you even been looking for his purpose? Have you asked others to confirm what you think God’s purpose for you is in this season? Does Scripture affirm what you understand to be God’s purpose for you? Are you trusting God — and his purpose for you — or are you trying to run from his purpose — are you rebelling against it — or simply living unaware of it?
Jesus trusted in his Heavenly Father’s purpose for him — even at the cost of his life — because he loves his Father and he loves you. And he wants you to know that you can trust God’s purpose for you — right now — because you are loved by God.
ANOINTED TO DIE
Let’s return to our text — we’re in verse 3.
“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”” (Mark 14:3-9 ESV)
Many of us — when going through a difficult time — retreat. We isolate ourselves from others. We turn inward and withdraw from others — even those we love. There’s an element of this behavior that’s completely understandable — for example — if the person you’re withdrawing from is causing you harm — withdrawal is a way of protecting yourself — it’s something you should do.
But there are many times when withdrawing from others only adds to the pain we experience. For example — a downside to withdrawal is how it tries to convince us that we’re in control of our circumstances — that we have more control over our lives than we really do. Someone recently told me about a relative of theirs who’s going through some difficult health issues. They need to press the pause button on life — get help — recover and get well — before resuming normal activities.
But what are they doing? Withdrawing from reality and continuing to go on as if everything’s fine — when it’s not. And they’re at the point of endangering — not only themselves — but others — why? Because of this downside to withdrawal — they believe they have more control over their life — and health — than they actually do. Everyone else can see this — but they can’t see it — and they refuse to listen.
And here’s a truth for all of us — we’re all just as equally poor at recognizing the lie we tell ourselves when we withdraw from others — the lie that we have more control over our lives than we really do. What’s a universal truth — for all of us humans — is that all of us are prone to being blind as to how our behavior is only adding to our pain and suffering. If only we’d listen to and trust others who can see things more clearly than we can — knowing that what they’re telling us is being said in love.
But — enough about us — it’s time to look to Jesus and the gospel. The Christian faith teaches us that God — not us — is in control of all things — including everything that happens in our lives. Again — God’s in control — not us. Now — he definitely delegates some control to us — we do make decisions — but ultimately he’s the one orchestrating everything in our lives for his glory and our good — and that — again — is his providence.
And Jesus demonstrates for us what it means to trust in God’s sovereignty — that’s another fancy way of saying that God’s in control of all things — Jesus shows us what it means to trust in God’s sovereignty and providence in life’s hardest moments — like when you’re about to be betrayed by a close friend which will result in your murder. And — let’s be real — not many things in life are harder than what Jesus is facing right now.
And what does Jesus do? Does he withdraw from others? No. Does he withdraw from those who will betray him? No. What does he do? He allows a woman to serve him by anointing him with oil in preparation for his death and burial. He allows Scripture to be fulfilled in his life. He allows God’s purpose — for his life — come to be. What an example we have in our Savior.
In John’s gospel — we discover the identity of one of the disciples who spoke up against the woman. “But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
6 Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.” (John 12:4-6 NLT)
Judas — the one who will betray Jesus — is the one who speaks out because he’s upset at what he’s just seen — what he considers to be wasteful. A year’s worth of money — three hundred denarii or — as another Bible translation tells us — “three hundred silver coins” — is the value of the oil she uses to anoint Jesus. And Judas is mad because he sees it all as a big old waste. It’s amazing to me that Judas is upset about three hundred silver coins being wasted on anointing Jesus for his burial when he’ll betray Jesus for only thirty silver coins.
An interesting thought — that Judas considered Jesus worth no more than ten percent of the price of the perfume she uses to anoint Jesus. An interesting thought leading to a heart-pricking question: How much is Jesus worth to you?
Every day we demonstrate — by what we do, how we spend our time, resources, and money — every day we demonstrate Jesus’ value to us. What a convicting thought, right? Because — if we’re honest with ourselves — we’re often no better than Judas when it comes to the value we demonstrate that Christ is to us based on how we live.
May this remind all of us of what a gracious and loving Savior we have — a Savior who loves us in spite of our foolish and undervaluing him ways. And I know how easy it is to get caught up in the rat race of life — but one day — you will stand before Jesus face to face. And he will be gracious and kind to you — if you believe in him. But don’t you want that moment — when you see him face to face — don’t you want that moment to be one where you’re not ashamed by how little you valued him in this life? Judas considered Jesus so invaluable that he was willing to betray him.
Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Betrayal — believe it or not — is something interwoven throughout the Bible.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. The prophet Jeremiah was betrayed by people close to him. David was betrayed by Saul. Yet Judas’ betrayal of Jesus has been called “the greatest occurrence of injustice in all of human history.” Yet it was also destined to happen as it had been prophesied in the Old Testament.
In the book of Zechariah we read, “And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter” — this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.” (Zechariah 11:12-13 NLT)
The providence of God once again orchestrating these events taking place in Jesus’ life. The providence of God using Judas’ act of betrayal to fulfill Scripture.
But how do you respond to being betrayed? Many choose the paths of revenge or bitterness — but not Jesus. Jesus — the one who taught us to love our enemies — loved even those who betrayed him and had him killed. How do I know? Well as he was hanging on the cross he prayed, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” If that’s not love for your enemies — then I don’t know what is. Jesus loves even those who betray him — which is Good News for all of us.
The apostle John also identifies for us the woman who anoints Jesus — her name is Mary. She’s the sister of Martha and Lazarus. In fact — in John’s gospel we learn that the home— that all of this is taking place in — is Lazarus’ home — making Simon the leper — most likely — Lazarus, Martha, and Mary’s father. And — given that it’d be very unusual for someone with leprosy to be in the presence of so many people — as leprosy was highly contagious — most likely Simon was someone who’d been healed of leprosy. Mark probably included the detail — about Simon’s leprosy — so his original readers would know exactly which Simon he’s writing about — as Simon was a common name during this time period.
But back to Mary. She anoints Jesus with this pure nard — this perfume or oil — that was very expensive. And — in doing so — she demonstrates the value she has for Jesus. This perfume would’ve been — most likely — the most expensive thing her family owned. Thus the uproar of all of it being used to anoint Jesus. For — as John Calvin said — “Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost his authority.”
Thus, some of the onlookers judge her actions — questioning what she’s done — even spinning things with “but we could’ve sold the perfume and given the money to the poor” — something they probably weren’t thinking about doing with the oil prior to her anointing Jesus. In fact — the perfume was probably viewed as the family investment — like an ancient savings account for the family. Using it for the poor only comes up in the conversation when it seems to have been wasted.
Yet Jesus’ response to her is quite telling. He says that what she’s done — in anointing him with the perfume — is a beautiful thing.
What a compliment from Jesus. “Mary, what you have done for me is beautiful.” I wonder if you’ve ever heard Jesus say that to you. Where you so obviously displayed how much you value him that — no matter what it was that you did — you heard Jesus say to you, “I want you to know that what you’ve done for me is beautiful.”
I hope you’ve heard Jesus say these words to you. I hope you’ll show him today how much you value him so you hear him say these words to you. You do have to show Jesus how much you value him — in order for him to tell you that what you’ve done for him is beautiful — but you also have to be listening. Taking time to rest and listen — not going from doing one thing — even for Jesus — to doing the next thing. If you want to hear such wonderful and encouraging words from him — like — “My child, what you’ve done for me is beautiful. I want you to know that I’ve seen what you’ve done on my behalf — and it’s given me great delight” — then you must take time to listen.
When’s the last time you paused long enough to listen to Jesus — to hear his words of encouragement to you, “What you’ve done for me is beautiful”?
For the good of your soul — listen to your Savior. He has some wonderfully encouraging soul-lifting words to say to you.
And — though Mary anointed Jesus — because of her love and appreciation of him — Jesus saw God’s providence at work here as well. For Mary was also anointing Jesus for his burial that will take place in just a few days. God uses Mary to accomplish his purpose for Jesus — that he would be anointed for burial prior to his death.
CONCLUSION
Now back to the question I told you to keep in mind earlier: What is God’s purpose for you — right now — in this season of life? I don’t know if your days — right now — are difficult or easy. Dark or celebratory. Days of weeping or days of rejoicing. But — what I do know — is that God has a purpose for you in these days.
Are you aware of his purpose for you? Do you trust that he is providentially working in and through these moments of your life? Do you believe that — even though you’ve betrayed him time and time again — minimized his value and worth — do you believe that he still loves you? For he does. And that he will even look at what you’re doing — or maybe what you will begin to do — on his behalf — and will say to you, “What you are doing for me is beautiful.”
This is the kindness of Christ towards you. This is his goodness and favor. This is his love. This is why he fulfilled the purpose his Heavenly Father had for him even at the cost of his life. Jesus kept before him his Father’s purpose even during these most trying and difficult days because he loves you and wants you to know and experience and trust in his love. Let’s pray.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for your providence. For orchestrating all things to bring you glory and to be for the good of your people. Orchestrating the events of the Exodus to foreshadow your Great Rescue story of salvation. Foreshadowing the Lamb of God who would be killed as a substitute for your people.
Spirit of God, give us a clear picture of God’s purpose for our lives. And give us the strength, encouragement, and perseverance to live according to his purpose. And increase our value of Jesus— help us to treasure him more.
And — Jesus — forgive us for so often undervaluing you in our lives. We’re more like Judas than we’d ever dare admit — easily betraying you — because we so often doubt what it means to be loved by you. Yet you remain faithful to us — never undervaluing or wavering in your love for us — even when we’re unfaithful to you as we undervalue and waver in our love for you. What grace and kindness you have for us — what love!
Father, Son, and Spirit — for anyone desiring to be loved — to really be loved — by your love that will never undervalue or waver towards them — may you call them to you right now. Give them eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive your love, to repent of their sins, and to trust in Christ alone for salvation. And it’s in his name that we pray. Amen.
BENEDICTION
May you know God’s purpose for you and — as you fulfill his purpose — may you hear Jesus say, “My child, you are beautiful and what you’re doing for me gives me great delight.” Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.