TEXT: Mark 14:3-9
READING: Psalm 62:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11
SUBJ: Christ seen as the object of Christian love and the humility that is the result in contrast with the misguided thoughts of men with regard to true worship.
AIM: That we should both remember this woman so designated by our Lord and imitate her actions in displaying true worship and affection.
INTR: The narrative set before here is unlike any other in Scripture. That our Lord should single out the actions of an individual in this manner is significant.
1. Mark stops in the account and goes back a few days to connect something important to the account.
2. We know of the stories of many notable persons in scripture, some named (Bartimaeus) and some unnamed (the leper) but with no prediction as to their place alongside the Gospel.
3. This lady (presumably Mary, the sister of Lazarus) exemplified the actions of the true love of Christ with a vision of things to come.
THESIS: The professions of those who truly love the Lord do not go unnoticed by either Him or the world. The one derives glory while the other exhibits injury to their pride.
I. The work noted (v. 3)
1. The setting here is questioned but is resolved in considering that Mark will connect the discontent of Judas over the ointment with the betrayal of Judas.
2. The ointment here used was indeed very costly, brought from the Himalayas, worth perhaps a year’s wages and no doubt used sparingly by those who owned it.
1) The indications are that she started at His head and anointed His whole body including His feet.
2) She did so quietly and without ceremony as He reclined at the table
3) She did so worshipfully, humbly, and sacrificially.
4) Her motive was that she might acknowledge what was in her heart as to His worthiness, honor and glory.
5) Her objective was Christ alone and not the attention of men or any other and was without hesitation – not a spur of the moment thing – she had been saving the ointment for this occasion. (She did not know it till then).
6) There was a sense as to the future and especially the resurrection -- it was she that had fallen at His feet as she wondered at the death of her brother.
II. The Reaction (vv. 4-5)
1. The indignation was more than a matter of protocol – the cost of the ointment was a means of inserting human logic in the place of true worship.
2. Consider who and what they might have sensed (a lack of such worship) and consider that they called it a “waste.”
3. We note that they were quick to condemn her (they murmured against her). She had evidently exposed some truth about them. (this was Judas and perhaps others).
4. At any time the work takes precedence over the one served, something is wrong.
III. The Defense (vv. 6-8)
1. True religion was not to be a business nor run like one.
1) They would always have opportunity to serve the poor
2) There would always be resources to do so.
2. He becomes the intercessor
1) Quick to defend – “leave her alone.”
2) Quick to commend – “she hath wrought a good work”
i. Acting out of faith and adoration in sensing who He was!
ii. Sensing things to come that they had not seen.
3. She had done what she could
1) Anointing His body to the burial – she evidently saw something coming
2) What was to follow after His death in both preparations for burial and the intent of the women on the first day of the week.
4. It is needful that our eyes be focused on Him and then the rest will be done in time.
IV. The testimony (v. 9)
1. She had acted out the faith of God’s elect and would be a pattern for approach unto Christ.
2. He would have her remembered because she embodied the result of repenting and believing the Gospel.
3. She would serve as a prototype for true worshipers.
4. So ordered of the Lord!
