Summary
As we close this series ‘Encounters with Jesus’, what does it look like to lay our lives down for Him because of what he’s done for us? Mary found herself filled with love and gratitude towards Jesus after raising Lazarus from the dead. The overflow of that love and gratitude towards him caused her to sacrifice the most valuable possession she had. She realised that her most valuable item was worth more on his feet than in her house. When we’re full of love and thankfulness for what Jesus has done it causes us to submit everything to him.
Key Scriptures
Mark 14:3-11 - While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
John 12:1-9,11 - “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.”
Psalm 9:1-2 - I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Hebrews 10:14 (The Passion Translation) “And by his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!”
1 John 2:2 - “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Romans 6: 17-18 - But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Follow up questions
Everything we do as Christians is out of place of gratitude for he’s done in our lives. What has Jesus done in your life that you are most thankful for? What makes you want to live for him? Are you struggling to be thankful?
Is there anything stopping you from seeing the worthiness of Jesus?
Sacrifice is relative. What is God calling you to declare His? What does he want you to submit to him?