Final Words: John 12:1-11

Final Words: Give The Roses

January 21st, 2024/Casey Middle School

Story: Have you ever thought about what your final words would be on this earth? While some get the opportunity to share final words with friends and loved ones, others are taken away without a warning. How powerful are the final words of someone knowing their time is near?

Would you praise God? Would you spend those final hours pleading with others to turn to Christ? Would you tell the ones that matter most how much you love them?

Intro: Would you join me on a journey over the next several weeks as we discover the final words of Jesus in his final week on this earth. Up to this point in the book of John we’ve studied the 3 years of ministry leading up to chapter 12. From this chapter till the end of this Gospel we will be discovering and unpacking Jesus' last words.

Passage: John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it. 7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

Pray:

Background:

As Jesus is just a few days away from His death, He goes to visit a family that He loves dearly in a small village just 2 miles SE from Jerusalem. It was here in Bethany that Jesus raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. To this day, Bethany is known as Al-Eizariya which means "the place of Lazarus".

This story is also found in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 and includes many other details. One detail is that Jesus is welcomed into a man's house called Simon, also referred to as Simon the leper, for a dinner with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simon, and the disciples. This would be a very special dinner to honor Jesus.

Title: Give The Roses

Big Idea: Give what you can, as long as you can.

Main Points:

1. Jesus Creates Division

   1. “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” - Matthew 10:34

   2. I’m not speaking of being disagreeable or a contrarian. I’m not talking about provoking chaos or causing strife. What I’m referring to is the undeniable decision that needs to be made when you have a personal encounter with Jesus..

      1. He is either a liar or He is Lord.
      2. You either surrender to Him or scoff at Him

      3. There is either allegiance or alienation

         3. The Calendar - BC & AD
         4. Humanity - for Him or against Him
         5. Destiny - Heaven & Hell
         6. Relationships - Love & Hate
         7. Faith & Unbelief
         8. Hot & Cold
         9. Question: Have you ever wondered why Jesus was treated so radically differently in Scripture?

      4. Sin will either draw us closer to the feet of Jesus in desperation, or cause us to retreat and fall deeper in our own depravity.

      5. It is why even to this day, people all around the world are being martyred for their faith in Jesus.

      6. Jesus speaking to the disciples as He is commissioning them out in Matthew 10 says “You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

         10. “True honor to Christ will always bring out the hostility of those that belong to Satan.” - Dr MacArthur

      7. I want to examine these two responses to the Gospel message of Jesus found in this passage.

2. Honor to Jesus

   1. Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
   2. Lazarus (The Witness)
      1. Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus. We studied the previous passage a few weeks ago where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. After this miracle, Lazarus went viral. Imagine being one of the few people in history who died and then heard Jesus call you back to life.
      2. We don’t see any words coming from Lazarus in Scripture, but his life was a living testament to the power of Jesus. Here we see the witness of Lazarus. So much so, that towards the end of the passage the chief priests are trying to kill him again just to silence his impact in the Kingdom of God.
      3. Lazarus offered his story “I was dead, but then Jesus brought me back to life!” And isn’t that our testimony still today?! He was living evidence, and the chief priests wanted to destroy the evidence.

      4. In the other passages where this story is told, we see that they are having dinner in a man named Simon's house. (Simon offered his home)

         1. So you have Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, Simon, who had been most likely previously healed by Jesus, and Jesus, the Savior of the world. Talk about interesting table conversation!

            3. Martha (The Worker)
               1. Martha is known as a servant leader. We see her in Luke 10 serving Jesus while Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She often gets bad press for not sitting with Mary, but Martha is using her gift of service as an offering to the Lord. She is hospitable and caring for the needs of everyone in the household.
               2. Martha offers her hands.

         2. “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” - Galatians 5:13 NLT

         3. Servanthood is the call to every believer.

         4. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45

            4. Mary (The Worshiper)
               1. Mary gave what she could, while she could. Love always gives. You can give without love. But you cannot love without giving. Here we see Mary demonstrating her love and affection to Jesus by pouring out a pound of pure and expensive Nard perfume.

         5. Image: Nard Perfume

         6. Rebecca’s Herb shop = $222 per ounce
         7. Nard from northern India and China, the Himalayas, very far from Bethany. Very expensive and hard to get. This oil was used for a funeral. (V7)

         8. 300 denarii = about a year’s wages, roughly $15,080 at the federal minimum wage ($7.25 an hour full time). 2. You are called to give what you can, not what Mary could. It’s not in the portion, but the proportion of what you can give that matters. Here we see Mary offer her heart. 3. Mark 14:3 - she smashes the jar. It went on his head and all the way down to His feet. Then she used her hair to wash His feet.

         9. Jesus commended and defended Mary. Her act of love and worship was public, spontaneous, extravagant, and excessive, and Jesus called it “A Good Work”. 4. Her act of worship brought a fragrance all over the home and filled the space, and the blessing of that act has spread all around the world.

         10. Everlasting memorial: “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”” - Matthew 26:13 NLT

         11. Her act of devotion still ripples from Bethany almost 2000 years ago, to Boulder at this present moment. Not so with Judas! His name is synonymous with treachery. We name daughters “Mary”, but have you ever met a Judas? Mary and Judas are seen in contrast in Prov 10:7. “The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 says “A good name is better than fine perfume…” and Mary had both.
         12. “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21 5. All offered what they could, gave generously while they could, and brought honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Hostility against Jesus

   1. Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

   2. Judas

      1. Here we see Judas, the betrayer, the thief, the one in charge of the money bag declare that this was a waste and could have been used to feed the poor.

      2. The division of belief and unbelief: We see the devotion of Mary and the disgrace of Judas.

         1. The word "disgrace" means a loss of reputation or respect, especially as the result of a dishonorable action. It can also refer to a person or thing that brings shame upon others. 3. Judas knew the price of everything and the value of nothing. - Dr MacArthur 4. Judas’ first words (v4), his last words “I have betrayed innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:4). 300 denarii (years wage), 30 pieces of silver (4 months wage). After Judas’ comment he created a toxic atmosphere. Greed, hypocrisy, and dishonor towards Christ will poison a moment. 5. In John 12:8, Jesus references Deuteronomy 15:11, not saying to neglect the poor, but He is prioritizing the worship given from Mary in this moment as she prepares Him for burial.
            3. 7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

      3. She humbled herself at the feet of Jesus and offered her best. She was misunderstood and criticized, but that is what usually happens when somebody gives his or her best to the Lord.

      4. Illust: Why do you always serve at that church? Why would you tithe? Don’t you know that could go towards your retirement?! Why are you moving to be a missionary when you are so gifted in the business world?!
      5. Judas and the disciples scolded Mary for her excessive and extravagant display of love towards Christ, BUT JESUS SAYS “leave her alone.”

      6. This was a prophetic moment as Jesus was preparing for the cross.

         1. Jesus is the Messiah, the “anointed One”. The term “Messiah” originates from the Hebrew word “Mashiach,” meaning “anointed one.” The word “Christ” comes from the Greek word “Christos,” meaning “anointed one,” which is a translation of the Hebrew term “Messiah.” 5. This rebuke no doubt played a role in his next move to betray Jesus. Along with Jesus confirming yet again that He was about to die.
            4. 9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

      7. The Chief Priests

      8. Sin = death. Even the chief priests were so driven by hate and overcome with sin that they were willing to kill an innocent man for just existing.

Closing: Mary “gave the roses” while she could. She didn’t wait to bring them to the funeral.

Walking Points:

1. Give as an act of worship
2. Give extravagantly
3. Give in the midst of criticism

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” - C.T. Studd

Invitation:

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith, making Jesus Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone. If you have faith in Jesus, then let’s join together as we pray…

Prayer of Salvation:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free

Conclusion:

If you prayed that prayer for the first time then Scripture says “anyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge them before my Father”. I’m going to ask that if you prayed that prayer for the first time would you lift your hand and let me know so that I can celebrate with you.

1. God is so proud of you.

2. The angels are rejoicing.

3. And we believe God has a purpose for your life.

Would you let us know that you made a decision so that we can follow up with you and help you on your next steps?