The Gospel According to Matthew
Question of the Day: What is the most extravagant thing you have ever done?
Introduction: Wow what a week. This week I had a Dr. appointment, a haircut, a birthday, a date with my man, at trip to see my daughter and son in-law and their new house, a wonderful day of work, a birthday lunch with a friend of 36 years, conversations with my siblings, found a new inspiring book and had powerful worship time with Jesus.
This full week, left me with a heart over flowing for my Savior. For every day, for connection, for family, for Him and His word! My heart aches for those who don't Him! I can't imagine the emptiness.
Reading this chapter this week, I saw the contrast. The contrast of really KNOWING HIM and experiencing the transforming power of Him, or NOT.
Both knew Him. So what made the difference?
READ: Matthew 26: 1-13
The Plot Against Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Let's primarily focus on verses 6-13.
Who was the woman who anointed His feet?
What else do we know about the story from the other gospels?
Why was she doing this?
What must have happened in her heart for her to be compelled to do this for Jesus?
Did she realize the how important it was what she was doing?
In Desire of Ages Chapter 62 Ellen White writes beautifully about this passage! I would challenge you to read it!
Here is one of my favorite quotes.
"Mary heard the words of criticism. Her heart trembled within her. She feared that her sister would reproach her for extravagance. The Master, too, might think her improvident. Without apology or excuse she was about to shrink away, when the voice of her Lord was heard, "Let her alone; why trouble ye her?" He saw that she was embarrassed and distressed. He knew that in this act of service she had expressed her gratitude for the forgiveness of her sins, and He brought relief to her mind. Lifting His voice above the murmur of criticism, He said, "She hath wrought a good work on Me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying."
It brings tears to my eyes to think of that moment for Mary. Here she is from the depths of her soul, filled with gratitude expressing her love in the best, most extravagant way possible, and yet it seemed not enough, pouring out her love for her Savior and yet she could feel the criticism. She could feel the shame that was coming from those in the room. Then Jesus speaks and takes all that away. He knows her heart! He sees her!
So what about Judas?
Was he right about the extravagance of the oil?
It is estimated that the oil she used that day was the equivalent of a years salary for the average wage earner.
So what would that be today?
Speaking of Judas Ellen White writes...
"Now the act of Mary was in such marked contrast to his selfishness that he was put to shame; and according to his custom, he sought to assign a worthy motive for his objection to her gift. " Desire of ages Chapter 62
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
So Mary spent a years salary to anoint Jesus and Judas was willing to betray him for 30 pieces of silver. Wow...
Of these two, who spent more time with Jesus?
Of these two, who had more "Christ knowledge?
Of these two, who had more clout? More prestige?
So what makes the difference?
If it isn't time with Him, it isn't head knowledge, what is it?
Mary precious Mary, knew her Savior! She knew what He had done for her! He had changed her! He had saved her!
It isn't enough for us to have head knowledge of Jesus. It isn't enough for us to spend time with Him. When I say that is sound scandalous. But we must be in a transformative relationship with him!
The difference is humility and gratitude for what He has done!!!
Who am I ? Redeemed and filled with gratitude for my SAVIOR!!!
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