Quick Biblical Side Note

This instance of Mary anointing Jesus with oil is separate from the story mentioned in Luke 7:36-50.

That particular story took place in Galilee about a year before the crucification and this story takes place in Bethany only a week before the crucification.

Different women, different city, similar alabaster jar of perfume.

Thoughts from the Text

This oil is likely her wedding dowry or her 401k retirement plan.

Judas hated to see his idol being “wasted” on Jesus. He didn’t love Jesus, he loved money. It killed him to watch Mary disrespect his god like that.

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

- There’s a time for Practicality and a time for passion.

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

- There’s a time for Practicality and a time for passion.

- The first act of love is always the giving of attention. Does Jesus have your attention?

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

- There’s a time for Practicality and a time for passion.

- The first act of love is always the giving of attention. Does Jesus have your attention?

- God doesn’t expect equal gifts from all of us, but he does expect equal sacrifice.

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

“There are rare Christians whose very presence incites others to be better Christians. I want to be that rare Christian”

– Aw Tozer

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

What great sacrifice is Christ calling you to?

What’s your “oil” you have to pour out?

Is it a one off offering beyond your normal tithe?

Is it the offering of time to disciple someone?

Is it saying no to some things to say yes to more time in prayer?

Judas is a crusty criticizer, Mary is a fresh follower.

When you go to church you may grow tired of singing the same song over and over, but Jesus doesn’t tired of hearing it.

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

- Revelation 4:8

Judas is a crusty criticizer, Mary is a fresh follower.

When we hear the name Judas, we think "the bad disciple" and assume we’re nothing like him.

You may be a lot more like Judas than you think.

You may be a lot more like Judas than you think.

Bad guys don’t think they are the bad guys. Most of us never think we’re the bad one, except for fleeting moments of complete honesty.

We often assume we aren’t Judas. Judas is walking with Jesus for years, but Jesus was not his master.

Information and experience does not equal life change. Information does not equal heart transformation.

We have to be intellectually honest here. If someone can be physically called out by Jesus himself, physically follow with him for years and not walk away transformed, then the same is true for us.

Heart Hygiene

Who have I become in the last few months?

Am I more or less enthralled by relationship with Jesus?

How’s my prayer life? Do I humbly listen and boldly ask? Am I seeing answers?

How are my core relationships?

What would people say about my attitude? My heart?

What’s it like to do life with me?

Do I hate/kill my sin more than 12 months ago?

Do I delight in Gods word more than I did 12 months ago?

What fills your heart will overflow, does Jesus have your heart?

This isn’t asking if you’re saved or born again, though you might need that!

It’s asking does Jesus transform your world view, your daily thought patterns, your money habits, and what you’re excited to talk about?

Laid down Lovers look foolish to the cold hearted.

Judas is a crusty criticizer, Mary is a fresh follower.

What fills your heart will overflow, does Jesus have your heart?