FBCWest 581 | Mary’s Offering
Recorded On: 11/19/2023
Bulletin
Hymn # 348 ”Living for Jesus”
SCRIPTURE READING – Galatians 2:20
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
OFFERTORY PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC – Pru Hungate
Praise and Worship
“Holy Forever”
“Love IS War”
“Overcome”
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“Mary’s Offering”
“The Stand”
Benediction “There Is Freedom”
Sermon Notes
John 12:1 & 2
A supper is prepared for Jesus, Lazarus eats, Martha serves
John 12:3 Mary anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair
John :12:4 – 6 Judas upset about the offering and we are told why
John 12:7 & 8 Jesus tells them to leave her alone
John 12:9 A large crowd came to see Jesus and Lazarus
John 12:10 & 11 Chief Priest planned to put Jesus and L:azarus to death
Scritpures
Transcript of Service
There are times when people give an extravagant offering or a gift. They don't see many of those, but when they do happen, oftentimes the gift giver. And the gift is criticized by others. We're going to see such an incidence in the life of Jesus and his ministry. Let's see what the offering is, what the criticism is and what Jesus and response to it.
We have come to a point in Jesus's ministry through the. Gospel of John and if you have your Bible and I keep saying and you should. Turn to the Gospel of John, Chapter 12, and we'll start with verse one and two. Now this. Aspect is after Jesus has raised. Lazarus from the. And so they are going to in essence have a. Thank you party for that. And so it says Jesus therefore 6 days before the Passover came to death, Bethany, where Jesus was, when Jesus had raised from the dead. Now I am not a theologian. I'm a lawyer. And one of the advices I got when I was going through law school was when the law is on your side, pound on the law. When the facts are on your side, pound on. The facts, and if neither the law. Or the facts are on your side pound. On the table. And so this. Verse verse. Gives me some pause. Because what I've been told are the facts don't. Sign up. Based on a misreading of the scriptures. Everyone says that Passover that year was on Friday. So they say the therefore the Passover on Friday was. Year 33. But I have been told. But the facts are. That Jesus's ministry was 3 1/2 years. And I have been told that Jesus was crucified when he was 33. Well, if that's the case. The facts that can't be disputed was that Jesus was born before BC 4. Because he was born before. Pain hurt the great death. Because King Herod wanted to kill the baby, who is the Messiah? So I don't understand how. Jesus can be 33. And his crucifixion beyond AD 33. If he was born before BC 4. So I don't. I think this gives us a clue that what people have been telling you about when the Passover happened. The wrong. Because they misread the scriptures about that, they couldn't go to the. The grave to provide for him until after the Sabbath. And because they didn't understand the scripture, they thought the only Sabbath was on a Saturday. Which is going to give them another problem. While on that there was also. The Passover there was unleavened bread, and then there was Saturday the. And so there were 33 Sabbaths involved before they could get to businesses body. They were wrong there. The law, if you look at what they're saying six days before. This Passover, where to put them basically as they argue on Saturday, which would violate the scriptures because you're supposed to rest on Saturday and they're having a party on Saturday. Well, not being a theologian, I don't understand why the theologians missed these simple facts. So I think. We just. That on Passover. Technically, as the Lambs were being slaughtered for Passover. And so that could not have been on Friday. So John gives us a very good clue. But there's this party and so. Where they made him a supper there. And Martha was serving but Lazarus with one of those whose reclined in at the table with them. And so we see Martha doing what Martha does best. She likes to serve. That's her ministry. She gets involved if something needs to be done, she does it. And so I wish there were more marthas. A lot of people come to church. And say that's a pretty good show for a. Quarter and then leave? Rather than saying what needs to be done, what can I do to help? So I. I I think Martha is a wonderful person. And again, I wish there were, but Lazarus was almost like a guest. So he wasn't helping serving because. As we're going to see, he was the spectacle. When she see that as so they were reclining at the table. We have this. Thought that that they ate like us. Where we sit at a table. And we're served and we eat off. They ate off tables, but they were like this high and they laid on the ground supported by. A forearm and then they would eat so they would. Their feet would be backwards and they would be and they would eat and do whatever. And so it's they're not sitting, they're reclining that it's that's what it because they ate and the custom of that day as free men. And so that's how three people ate and so. They ate like that. So unfortunately. Besides fish being wrong on the last pepper painting. They're also sitting at a table and. So the beautiful painting I've seen the original. They cut Jesus speed out Machado. The most things that we think are beautiful and special. Not everybody's, OK. So. So he's Jesus is an honorary guest of this supper. My financials call the commentaries called it dinner. And that's because they're not going to stop. And so they have this dinner and and Jesus and Lazarus are our special event. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume, appear in art, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Now all four gospels talk about an incident. Like this? The problem with. Hebrew writings. Is that they not necessarily always. Things in chronological order. And so. Because of that. I'm not sure which way to go, but I have a tendency to think that the other. Recordings and the other gospel. Place this thing. Before this incident. After this incident. And whatever, I tend to think. That this incident is different. From some of the other recordings in in. The other gospel. I think there are two or more situations where someone comes and and anoints these. I may be wrong because what's tricky is not only do the Hebrew writings are less concerned about chronology, but. For steam and flow. And sometimes they don't record everything that happened, and so when some of the other gospels we talked about, the anointing of Jesus head and whatever to here, it's just talks about his feet. Because I think it totally suits John's narrative to get us to believe in Jesus that he does so. But most people think that this incident is the same as all of them. I'm not comfortable with that. You get to decide what you think. But anyway what happens is. Makes this expensive, offering he takes a pound of very costly perfume of pure Nard and wipe it with his feet. And we're talking that we're. All that there is this fragrance that is spread. Over the entire house. Now we're going to be told later that this. Perfume cost 300 dinara. Now Denali, was basically one day's wait. The offering that Mary is making is about 10 months. You're from work. So she. As a sister of Lazarus. And of mayor of Martha. And I believe Thanksgiving for what Jesus had done. And in recognizing that he is the fight that he is, the son of God, and that she believes that he is, that he is worthy of this offering. But she just doesn't hand him. His feet at his feet. And takes the perfume in art. And covers his feet. And then. Wipes it off. With her hair. Signifying that she is an essence Jesus's slave. That she will submit to him because in that culture. The lowest part of a person's body, the one you wouldn't want to necessarily expose. The one that no one wants to see and be a part of, is the faint, and she sits at his feet. And she faces this costly. Perfume on his feet and then. Wipes it with her hair. And extravagant. An offering of 10. And not only like I said, does she just give it to him. Who performs an act of servitude? And acknowledging. Whatever you tell me to do. I will do. So often when we come to church. Or we see a program where we are hardest touched by some type of good deed that needs to be done. Please send a check or place money in the offering and we feel that we have done a good deed. And we have, yes, it's going to be the church and other organizations don't run on goodwill. You don't sell the electric company. Well, we had a bunch of goodwill today. They want you to pay the bill. And so there are certain functions although, but that's not all that the offering should be. When we give of our money, we should not only give. Of our money. But our time not only should we give our money and our. Time we should give the Lord. And this is what Mary is doing is making an extravagant gift. But and I'm going. To come back to this here. But there's always criticism. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples who was intending to betray him, said. Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii and given to the four people? Now, isn't it interesting? That Judas is criticizing Mayor Mary for what she's doing. And you'll find that a lot of times people will be generous and will give other people money or give a large sum to the church or other or, and they will decide. Well, Judas, what are you doing for the poor? He criticizes Mary for what she's not doing, but will will see that not only does he not do. He does something else. Now he was said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief and he, and as he had the money. But he used to kill for what was put into it. Was going that could have been given 300. So now I could have taken 10 month wages and I could have. Taken a Commission. A lot of times when people criticize us, the honest answer is because they want something instead of us giving. It to us. And you'll hear that. Especially for non believers. Why do you spend so much time at the? What are you doing with your? What value are you doing in your time now? I love watching football. But it's not gaining anybody anything other than my entertainment. Or maybe I should spend more time at church than watching football? And in South football, there's been, you know, but again the situation is is that people will quickly criticize you for what you're doing. But not. Do what they criticize you to do. There are a lot of. Charities not. A lot of charities. I don't understand why people give. I won't name the charity because I don't want to offend the people who like this charity.
Life and spirit.
My grandsons were at A at a school and they were raising money. And there were three. Charities that the students would devote on, which was going to be the charity that they. Would give them money. One of the charities. I didn't think much of. Is on that that kind of person. The other two charities I thought, man, that would be a tough decision. Which one would they choose because both of those are really good charity. They have value because people of whatever. And so when they announced the winner. Is the one I thought for sure they would not vote for. Now my money. Now my time as my son likes to say, not my cattle, not my rent. I gave a little money for the thing, but. I gave it knowing that not for sure where we go, but again, I can't criticize where the money went. No money. I could and my wife and I do give not to them but their charity. But for that type of pause. Because it touched our hearts and whatever. And we thought that's good. But I can't say you should put it in the charity. I like. What is it that touches your heart? Then do that. But notice Jesus respond. Therefore, it's Jesus said let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my birth. Interesting comment. The first part he's basically saying. She's doing a good deed. Shut your mouth and let her do it. Kind of like what I've said. Before, what are you doing? In another incidence, which may be the same or may not be. And again, I think they're differences. One of the Pharisees criticizes and Jesus goes the woman who's doing this is Nazis crying and wiping. Putting her tears on my feet and wiping. My feet with her hair. He goes you. Didn't kiss me when I came in. You didn't give me any water to clean. Jesus name. Leave her alone because she's doing good. You've done nothing other than offer. A meal. And then he says so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. She already placed the Flagrants on his body. So wasn't keeping the fragrance the perfume for the day of the burial. I believe what Jesus is saying is. When I'm dead. You're going to wish you did more for me. You're going to wish you didn't doubt. You're going to, you're going to be sorrowful. That you didn't recognize who I was until it. Seemed too late. What I'm going to remember. That I loved you enough. That I said I would be your slave. And in those three days that he was buried, she had something to say. At least I showed him. I loved him. And that I would be his servant. So I think Jesus said she will be able to. Hold on to that. What are you doing, Judith? Other than betraying me? Then he says for you, always have the floor with you, but you will not always have me. Do you say and you will always. Have an opportunity to do good. There are always going to be people that need, whether they're poor, whether they're disabled, whether they're drug addicted or alcohol addicted or whatever their addiction is. There's always an opportunity. To do good. But you do not always have Jesus walking. With you today? And then we expand the situation. The large crowd of the Jews then learn that he being Jesus was there and they came not for Jesus's sake only, but they might also see Lazarus. Whom he raised from the dead. So they came to see this spectacle. Here's Jesus. This prophet, this perhaps Messiah who raised Lazarus from the dead. This goes see him. And let's go see the. Guy the dude that he raised from the dead. It's going to be better. Then a State Fair. Let's go. Watch him. I mean, and then we'll be able to touch him and see and go cool. I mean this. And then were you there? Yeah. Did it happen? Yeah. And they're there for the excitement. And again, a lot of people come to church. Not for him. But for the excitement. Well, it's a big church. They have great music. They do awesome things. I'm going to be honest with you. I used to think. That if we. Had great music and I'm not saying we don't. I'm saying if we had great music. And if we did certain things. People would come to church. Well, I've discovered. To my dismay and my disappointment. People come for the past. Whether they like him or not, and people leave. Because of the pastor. I don't hear people saying at various churches. Man, they have a wonderful. Worship band. They say my password written seven books and whatever, and he's awesome and and I like. And when he starts doing stupid things, they find another church. And I don't hear people saying, you know, I I go to church because everybody loves me. Everybody knows who I am and it's awesome. There's so much love at that church. I can't wait to go because they just love me. So, like my pastor. He's on TV. Thank God for you. I know my lovable guy. But I believe at least I hope and pray. But you come not for me. But you come for him. Not for this stuff, but. Because we're not here to do stuff. And so maybe that's why. We don't always have a large bowl. But that's OK. Because I want people like Mary and Martha who serve and lay at the feet of Jesus. And give extravagant offer. But the Chief Reese plan to put Glazers to death also. Now that's in trouble. Because Lazarus is the spectacle. We got to get rid of last. Because on account of him, many of the Jews were going away and were believing in. They're saying. We we've already conspired to kill Jesus because he isn't going the way we want him to, and we might lose our position of power. And even our nation, if we don't get rid of Jesus. But if we get rid of Jesus, don't get rid of Lazarus, they're going to say yeah, but Jesus raised laws forbid, you know, you guys made a mistake or whatever and all these things. And so they understand that they got to get rid of lives with because he is respected. So I'm going to leave it there, but I want to go back to the offering. There is a sense, and as I've said. It is an extravagant offering. Was 10 months worth of? Who did so in a position of? That Jesus is in authority and she is his slave. But when you think about it, it really wasn't expected, you know. There is a him. That says that the whole world is a realm of the whole. World were mine. And I were to give it to him. They'll be much too small and often. For what he is and what he. If we and. And let's face it, if the whole world if every government. Was under my control. And all the. Cattle and all the materials and all. Of the. Corporations and all of. The businesses were controlled by me. And I gave it to the Lord. It is. I'm giving him nothing. If I give him my life. Is he who gave it to me? Is he who allows me to breathe in? And to breathe out. He is the one who set the number minded. So quite frankly. Even though. This life is very valuable to me. In the grand scheme of things, it's not even mine. But everything that we do and everything that we have that we think we do and have. We should be giving to him. And that still would not be an extravagant. Or we like to come and say. That we worship them. And we give them an offering of pray. Well, other than the few breaths that we took and breathe. Which he gave us to give him the. It always reminds me of David. When he said I will not offer to God. That which asked me not. Going caught between a rock and a hard place. As I acknowledge. That none of this line. And all of it's it. But maybe I should live. Like men of its mind. And all of us. That I will give that. Viewership and that management ticket. So that when. I mentioned. At that, with Paul Benison. We will say. Well done. You're good and faithless. And then my. Rather than saying I gave you a talent. And buried in the ground. You thought that was. Significant and gave it back. Yeah, Lord, you gave me my life and I. Lived it my way. It's back. We are going to come and we're going. To sing a song. Just going to talk about making a stand. And raising our. We should be doing that not just at the close of this. At every single hour of every single day. The rest of our lives that God has given. And again, that would not be an extravagant gift that would simply. Be a gift. No less than he deserve. Because he is the son of God. He is the king of. Kings and Lord of war. And if you. Were here we should be at this. Paying them. And worship you. Because that's where he. Where we belong. Now that's.