An Act of Gratitude

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. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 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. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 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).

 

With his arrest, trial, and crucifixion drawing near, Jesus reclined at a meal, aware of those seeking to kill him. In this episode a woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume as an expression of gratitude to him. “Some of those present” were quick to react. Without waiting for her to leave, “they rebuked her harshly.” John specifically identified Judas raising this complaint, hiding his hypocrisy behind a concern for the poor (cf. John 12:4-5).

 

Notice Jesus’ confrontation. “Leave her alone,” he said. He knew God’s plan. The cross was just ahead. He knew he would soon face death and probably a criminal’s burial, which would mean no anointing of the body. Therefore, her act was “a beautiful thing.” Jesus wasn’t dismissing the need to care for the poor, but preparation for his burial was also appropriate.

 

Notice that Mark concludes the account with Judas’s arranging to betray Jesus. In contrast, the woman’s lavish sacrifice serves as an example of expressing gratitude and devotion to him. Here we see the difference of attitude in someone saved by grace and in someone on a power trip, seeking selfish success!

 

We ought to ask what motivates us? When we have new life in Christ, how do we express our gratitude?

  

The Scope of Jesus' Betrayal

 

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, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” (Mark 14:1-2 ESV).

 

The betrayal of Jesus was much more than one man’s dissatisfaction with Jesus. Judas was not alone in his betrayal. In fact, we see from the prophesy in Psalm 2:2 that “the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed.” This prophecy is fulfilled when the priests and teachers of the law form an unholy alliance to bring Jesus down. The religious leaders of the day want Jesus dead. They wanted him crucified in order that they might brand him as cursed and unfit for any religious following.

 

Judas was the tool the religious leaders used to accomplish their evil plot. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ closest followers, secretly turns his back on Jesus and aids the enemy (vv. 10-12). He decides that he has had enough talk of Jesus’ crusade to establish the kingdom of God.

 

This is a powerful plot. The leaders with their temple soldiers and an insider who can lure Jesus into their net—what chance does Jesus have? But as Psalm 2:4 reports, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” God’s ways triumph in the end.

 

Through this event God wants us to know that human schemes cannot thwart God’s plans. We, as followers of Jesus, often feel overmatched, puny before cultural movements that might appear to threaten Christianity and betrayed by insiders who abuse the teachings of Jesus for their own gain.

 

But God has a surprise for us. Even enemies accomplish God’s plan. Even in suffering and death Jesus is King. God uses everyone, even those who are evil acting in unexpected events, and even the struggle of suffering to accomplish his purposes. That is our confidence in Jesus Christ. All things are woven together in God’s plan and purpose to bring about His good in our lives (cf. Romans 8:28).

 

The Answer to Our Timidity

 

[Jesus said] “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:9-13 ESV).

 

I have been called on to speak in front of large and small crowds. I remember how anxious I was each of the times I was asked to do the message at all three of my son’s baccalaureate ceremonies. I also remember how anxious I was the first time I preached at the First Baptist Church of Bryan. Being timid when speaking in front of a large crowd can happen to all of us. For many that same timidity can affect us when we are speaking with individuals and small groups of people. Jesus gives assurance that even in those situations the Holy Spirit can and will speak through us.

 

Although Jesus describes a high stakes scene, his promise here recalls promises found in the Old Testament. The Old Testament prophets were moved to speak by the Holy Spirit. This speaking ministry of the Holy Spirit only occurred occasionally in the Old Testament, but the prophet Joel foretells of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on and speak through all of God’s children (cf. Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2).

 

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit’s work is for ordinary life, but it’s also for times of persecution. Jesus is obviously describing persecution in our passage. And on separate occasions in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit speaks in and through Peter, Stephen, and Paul when their faith is on the line in desperate situations. We have this same promise of the Spirit’s presence and power in our lives. We may or may not be faced with such difficult circumstances, but we all have the opportunity to point to Jesus every day. And if we face persecution, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit will speak in and through us. That’s a great comfort!

 

The Widow's Gift

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44 ESV).

 

When you think about generosity in giving, who comes to your mind? You've likely heard of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who runs the largest foundation in the world. You may also know about the generosity of Warren Buffet, who pledged the largest stock donation ever. Perhaps you think about Taylor Swift or other celebrities. Whoever comes to your mind we cannot deny that today's major philanthropists are very rich, their names are well known.

 

When Mark in his Gospel writes about giving, he draws our attention to someone who is poor, nameless, and a widow. On her way to the temple treasury, she follows some wealthy and seemingly generous people. They give much greater amounts, but Jesus says she makes the most generous donation! Somehow her gift of two small copper coins is more generous than the gifts of the wealthy.

 

We don't have to be rich to make a generous donation for the Lord. True giving means more than simply opening our wallet or writing a big check. It's about unlocking our hearts to God first and then fully trusting him in everything, including our financial well-being.

 

Jesus expects us to be generous when serving him, and he has every right to demand that. Just a few days after he met the widow, Jesus gave up his life, the most generous and loving act in all of history. That's why he rejoiced about the widow's generosity. That's why he calls us to be generous and sacrificial today.

  

Loving God and Your Neighbor - Pt. 2

 

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:28-34 ESV).

 

A few years ago I was able to be a part of a team through Samaritan’s Purse and travel to Kipnuk, Alaska to build a church in the small native village. The people were wonderful and greeted us enthusiastically and warmly. You can see from the picture I’ve included that it was no small task. The team I was on only stayed a week, though we were able to get the roof on and the interior ready for some finish work. We also did a lot of work on the pastor’s home next to the church. It was such a refreshing experience to be able to help.

 

While we were there it happened to be my birthday. Some of the people living in the village discovered the date and wanted to bring dessert to our evening meal. Some of the children had gathered some tundra berries and they made “ice cream” for us. I was not aware that the recipe called for these berries and a large portion of whale blubber! It seems they take the berries and mix them with the blubber and let it freeze outside over night! Well, even though I was warned, I could not bring my self to disappoint the young children who brought the gift to me. I took a small portion and had my first experience with Inuit Ice Cream! They were delighted… I was quite surprised that I managed to keep it down. We all had a good laugh at my sensitive taste!

 

This is something of what Jesus must have meant when He said we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This “gift” was what they had to give. It was not common or incidental. They honored me with a gracious expression. How could I refuse. Much of the time I fear we do not grasp the depth of love God has for every person. If we did, perhaps it would easier to love much more! It would be much easier not to be judgmental and condescending. Love God… love your neighbor!