How do You Want to be Remembered? | John 12:1-11
Sermon Summary
As Jesus heads to Jerusalem for the Passover, he stops in Bethany for a meal at the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In an act of worship, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, which upset Judas Iscariot.
Mary’s actions showed what true worship looks like, while Judas’ response exposed his true motives.
One Big Idea
True worship is not about what we can bring to Jesus, but about how much of our hearts belong to Him.
Key Scriptures:
Luke 10:40-42 (NASB): “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came upvto Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.””
Luke 12:3 (NASB): “Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
2 Samuel 24:24 (NASB): “However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
Luke 7:44-47 (NASB): “Turning toward the woman, [Jesus] said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for sheloved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.””
John 15:15 (NASB): “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Truths to focus on this week:
True worship gives our best: Jesus is after our hearts, not merely our possessions. Just like Abel and David, He desires that we give what we truly value as an act of worship to Him. This leads us to examine whether Jesus has access to every area of our lives.
True worship is self-forgetful: Worship focused on Jesus humbles us because it shifts our focus from seeking the approval of others to only caring about what He thinks of us. Extravagant worship comes from recognizing the measure of forgiveness Jesus has given us.
True worship leads us to deeper spiritual understanding and discernment: When we spend daily time with God in the Word, worship, and prayer, He gives us greater understanding of what He’s doing in and around us.
Discussion Questions
Out of love for Jesus, Mary poured out her most valuable possession at His feet. What’s most precious to you? Would you be willing to give it to God as an act of worship?
Do we give Jesus our best (worship, time, generosity, love), or do we offer Him what is left over after we have already given our best to the things of the world or our own desires?
Jesus wants our hearts more than anything else. What would it look like to give him more of your heart this week?