WHAT IS THE PRICE OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO GOD?

CHRIST THE ROCK CONGREGATION

Sunday, MAY 14TH, 2023

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO GOD?

By pastor Marc Simeon

MARK 14 : 1-14

Mr 14:1 ¶ After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.

 2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

 5 “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.

 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.

 7 “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.

 8 “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

 9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Introduction

• This remarkable story is recorded in all four gospels. Matthew, MarK, Luke and John.
• It is a memorial to the action or gesture of a certain woman.
• Jesus predicted that we would be preaching about it today.
• Wherever the Gospel is preached, so will the account be remembered.

The stage:

• In the aftermath of the resurrection of Lazarus.
• Marie, Martha and Lazarus were friends of Jesus.
• Jesus had many sleepovers in their house when he was in town.
• Jesus was the guest of honor in the celebration that was going on.
• We know that the event occurred in Bethany, but not in the house of Marie and Martha, but over Simon the Leper.
• We know at least that Simon had been a leper at some point.
• In Luke chapter 7: we know that He was a Pharisee.
• In a sense it fits to say that two major miracles might have happened in this little town.
• Jesus might have healed a Pharisee who had leprosy called Simon, who was throwing a thanksgiving party.
• Mary and Martha who lived in the same proximity decided to make a joint party to celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus.
• The Bible tells us that many distinguished people were present.
• Many people who had come early in the Passover celebration from all parts of the world would have been there.
• We know that many people wanted to see Lazarus who had been raise from the dead.
• Martha is probably busy cooking.
• Jesus is teaching.
• Simon is entertaining the guests.
• Marie as usual was at the feet of Jesus.
•  

The surprising action of Mary

• Marie was filled with love and admiration for Jesus.
• Marie was once a prostitute before she met Jesus.
•  Jesus had restored her.
• Jesus had raised her Brother from the dead
• Marie found her own way to express her love and devotion to Jesus.
• She only had one thing of value, and that wasn’t her skill or talents.
• She was not special at anything.
• She had something that meant a lot to her.
• It takes a full year’s wage to pay for one.
• She had a very expensive perfume—pure nard.

• Imported probably from India.
• She broke the seal that might have been made of glass or ceramic.
• She poured the entire container on the head of Jesus.
• Luke says she was crying—probably out of contentment.
• The Bible also says that the aroma of the perfume filled the room.
• While everybody liked the smell,
• Not everyone was on board with the action of Marie.

THE ATTITUDE OF MARY

• Marie did not care about criticism
• She didn’t care about custom
• She didn’t care about the cost
• all she could see was her love for Jesus
• she went further by getting down on her knees
  • —let go her hair and
  • began to wipe the feet of Jesus.

THE INDIGNATION OF THE SPECTATORS

• The whole thing infuriated the spectators.
• Simon was vexed of that act of worship, for he did not see Jesus as God.
• And Judas was furious about the waste of the perfume, for it could be sold for a lot of money.

THE RESPONSE OF JESUS

• 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.
•  7 “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.
•  8 “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 
•  
• We see that Jesus was moved.

1. Jesus was moved by what Marie did.
2. Jesus rebuke the people who were attacking her.
3. Jesus acknowledges that her action was timely with respect to the crucifixion and burial.
4. Jesus set a memorial for her action—
   1. Everyone, everywhere, every generation: present and future will know about her action.
   1. Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Let us examine the good deed of Marie.

1. It was a good work
2. It was a misunderstood work
3. It was a memorable work
4. It was a personal act of worship
5. It was meaningful work
6. It had a prophetic component to it
7. It was a timely work.

It wasn’t Mary who had a problem but the people around her

• When it come to your devotion to God,
  • Don’t wait for others to stimulate you.
• Don’t make a council to discuss what God put in your hearth to do.
• Others may think that your sacrifice was a waste
• Others may think that your sacrifice was insignificant
• Or pointless
• Others may think that your sacrifice is too much
• Pay no mind to them.
• The anointing of Mary was the only one Jesus was going to have.

Lu 23:55

 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. (NKJV)

  56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

1 ¶ Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. (NKJV)

 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. (NKJV)

 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (NKJV)

• Jesus did not need any more burial but that of Marie.
• She acted on time.
• The body of Jesus did not decompose thanks to Marie.
• A sample action goes a long way.
• A sample gesture can be more significant than you may think.
• Even a cup of water can save someone’s life.
• What is the price of your sacrifice?
• God can distinguish between sacrifice and leftover.
• God doesn’t like leftovers
  • He loves something that is dear to you.
  • He loves something that cost you dearly.
  • He wants the first place in your life.
  • He wants the first part of your day.
  • He wants the first of your money.
  • He wants the best seat in your heart.
  • He wants to be your best friend.
  • He wants the highest royalty.
• God will give significance to your little effort.
• AMEN!