Mark 14:1-11. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on October 25, 2020.
As chapter 14 begins, Mark moves from the prophetic pronouncements that Jesus gave and again focuses on the events of the last week of Jesus before the crucifixion.
In these verses, Mark seems to be positioning several important points on the table. The religious leaders of Israel wanted to put Jesus to death, he had been anointed by his followers, and Judas had cut a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus into their hands. It is clear from the other gospels that these things have already happened earlier in the week. However, they fit in the theme as Mark ramps up to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Things had looked so good at the beginning of the week with the Triumphal Entry, but it turned sinister by the end.
In verse 1, we are told that the leaders had decided to take Jesus by “trickery” (NKJV). This word can also be translated as deceit, or guile. It is the same word that Jesus used of Nathaniel when he said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
Their minds had been made up long ago that Jesus could not be the long-awaited Messiah. And now, their minds are made up that he must be put to death. His bold teaching in the face of the chief priests, and his startling resurrection of Lazarus only a mile away from Jerusalem, could not be left untended.
They had a problem though. The common person of Israel believed Jesus to be a true prophet of God, and many believed him to be the Messiah. If they didn’t employ some form of trickery in executing Jesus then they would lose any favor they had with the people and could cause a riot themselves.
Of course, such deliberations are not the thoughts and actions of godly people and should not be used in order to obtain justice. Sure, there are some stories where prophets trick people in order to make leaders face their sin (the prophet Nathan with King David, etc.), but they never use trickery in order to make them appear guilty when they are not. These leaders really have nothing with which to publicly accuse Jesus that would warrant execution. Thus, they recognize that they can only do so through trickery. Such is the actions of those who play politics instead of following the way of the Lord.
We are also told that they sought to avoid the upcoming feast lest there be an uproar, or riot, from the people. Jesus was popular and the population of Jerusalem had swollen up to 2 million people who were in town for Passover and Unleavened Bread, which lasted 8 days.
It is sad that their actions demonstrate far more fear of what the people may do than a fear of the Lord and what He would do. Even if they thought they were doing a service for God in getting rid of Jesus, they still had an obligation not to pervert justice in so doing. If they truly feared God then they would have followed the same path that David demonstrated with Saul. He waited for God to remove Saul instead of trying to make it happen. Just because something is God’s will, it doesn’t make it right for us to force it to happen by unjust means. God might be taking too long in our estimation, but that should never be interpreted to justify such actions. We are warned in Scripture that the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. The apostle John describes the religious leaders as those who loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:43). If we love the praise of men more than the praise of God then we will also fear the lack of people’s praise and what they can do, more than God’s praise and what He could do.
Regardless of our desire, our actions will always accomplish God’s will. They want the execution of Jesus to be done quick, quietly, and without a scene. However, Jesus will be crucified before all of gathered Israel as the feast of Passover begins. God wanted this to be done publicly for all to see because Jesus would be dying for the sins of the world, not just an elite few of Israel.
Let’s be clear; God does not make them desire to kill Jesus. However, once they decided to put Jesus to death, God makes it happen on His timetable and for His purposes. We will all glorify God one way or the other. If we serve Him in faithfulness then we will glorify Him in our salvation and victory over wickedness. If we reject Him then we will glorify Him in our failed attempt to save ourselves and its consequent destruction. God does more than “parry every blow.” Every attack that is made against Him is itself made to be for His purposes in the end. This is why those who follow Christ are called upon to love their enemies and bless them because God will turn their attacks to our good and for His glory, if we trust Him. The real question is this. What good will it do me to glorify God in my destruction? Why choose death when the Lord of Heaven offers you life with Him?
In John 12, we are given much more detail to this event in which Jesus is anointed. It seems to have actually happened the day before the Triumphal Entry. It also happened in Bethany at the house of Simon the Leper where Jesus was eating a meal with Lazarus, Simon, and other friends. This is the same Lazarus who he had recently resurrected from being dead four days. The sisters of Lazarus are there as well. Martha is helping to serve the meal. Whether Mary was helping to serve is not told, but instead, we are told that Mary, the sister of Lazarus, is the one who does the anointing of Jesus.
She breaks open the neck of the alabaster flask and pours some of the perfumed oil called nard on his head. This was an oil created from an East-Indian plant that was extremely expensive, as we will find out. She not only pours it on his head, but as John tells us, she also puts some on his feet and wipes them with her hair.
We are not told why Mary decided to do this. However, Jesus will make a statement about why it was done from God’s perspective. So, I will come back to this in a moment.
Mark tells us that “some who were indignant” spoke up in complaint about this action. John tells us that Judas was the one who gave voice to the complaint. The complaint on its surface is that this is a waste. Think of all the poor people who could have been helped by the value of that oil. At this point we are told that the oil was worth more than 300 denarii, that is nearly a year of a common laborer’s wage. Today, that would be somewhere in the range of 25,000 to 30,000 dollars. Yes, it is shocking even if you don’t disapprove. It is hard enough to imagine purchasing such an item, much less using it in this manner. Yet, this is how much Jesus means to Mary.
Not all expenditures that we make are understood by those who see them happen. For various reasons, we may spend money on family and friends in ways that others may disapprove. However, notice how the complainers are comparing the two actions of anointing Jesus or selling the oil to help the poor. Both acts are good things, but they are stating that one action is better than the other. Is it really God’s purpose that we do everything we do as a means of maximizing the number of people we help per dollar spent? It sounds reasonable at first, and yet God’s Word warns us that there is a fly in this ointment. If the Spirit of God had stirred up within Mary to do such a “wasteful thing” then who are these other people to judge the servant of the Lord? They judge it to be wasteful, but what does God think? Love does not set up spreadsheets and turn people into numbers in order to maximize the effects. Rather, it simply does what it desires for those people in front of it.
John reveals to us that Judas had an ulterior motive. He was the one who held the money bag for the group, and he often embezzled money from that purse for himself. Judas really thought it was a waste because he would not be able to take advantage of such a large sum of money. The bigger the pot the more one can skim off the top. His greed was the source of his complaint, but he used the poor as a cover. Many who speak of helping the poor are only seeking a pool of money from which they can enrich themselves. This happens in nonprofits and in government. Of course, we could turn away from charity altogether, but then what would happen to the poor? No, the answer is to give what God puts in your heart to give. Then it becomes an offering to him, holy. Those who abuse holy funds will have to answer to God and I need not worry about that. Sure, check out an institution to make sure that they are handling funds properly, but don’t let cynicism cause you to harden your heart to God’s Spirit.
So now, we have Mary simply doing what God has put on her heart and a self-righteous man leading the criticism against her. Let’s see how Jesus responds to this.
Notice that Jesus does not compare her action, but rather describes it as good. As I stated earlier, many may critique the good that we do, but let it be good and at the leading of His Spirit. Often, their critiques are more about what is in their heart than it is about you or me.
Secondly, Jesus points out that the poor will always be around and you can help them any time you want. Think about all the food pantries and food banks that exist across our country, not to mention food stamps and other governmental programs to help the poor. Places like Salvation Army and shelters that help to feed and shelter the homeless are available as well. These, however, are not the only things worthy of our expenses. There are people in our life who will not always be around. There are children who won’t always be kids, and loved ones who won’t always be there. The point is that the general good, which is always immensely larger, should never stand in the way of a specific good that is right in front of me. To Judas, pouring such wealth upon the head of Jesus was a waste, and yet he could not see the true value of Jesus. We could pour the oil of a million planets upon the head of Jesus and he would still be more valuable than it all. The Spirit was leading this action, but the Flesh of man was hostile towards it. Many would have you sacrifice everything for the good of humanity, or the planet, but not necessarily for the sake of a specific human being. No, they often advocate sacrificing the individual for the sake of the rest. It may sound like Jesus at first, but it is not; it is satanic. The Father did not sacrifice His Son for the whole world. Rather, the Son agreed to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the Father’s will. The first is tyranny and the second is the love of God. Friend, seek the will of God for how to love the people that He has put in your life, and as you are able, bless those who are lacking in general. It is both and, and not either or.
Thirdly, Jesus points out that she is anointing his body for his burial ahead of time. He had told his disciples that he would be killed, so it is possible she intends this to be the case. Regardless, it is what God had in mind for the action. He was headed into a horrible suffering, but her loving devotion would help to encourage his heart in this his darkest day.
Lastly, Jesus states that this story will be told about her in memorial wherever the Gospel is preached. In fact, this is exactly what I am doing right now in walking through this story. What would be the memorial of Judas compared to her? Yes, he betrayed the Lord of Glory. His flesh led him down a road of hideous choices and destruction. Judas is not a hero; his remembrance will always be associated with extreme injustice. What will my memorial be? Not all things that the righteous do are recorded in Scripture, but God’s Word tells us that there are books in heaven in which our deeds are recorded. What will your memorial be?
It is important to see that these stories are all connected. This seems to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Judas. Following Jesus clearly was not going to lead to riches. At some point, he pictured Jesus taking control of the country and his proximity to Jesus being the source of great riches. Now, it has become abundantly clear to him that Jesus is not interested in riches or making those around him rich. He makes the decision to approach the religious leaders and cut a deal to betray him into their hands for 30 pieces of silver.
We should note how their deal with Judas takes the timing of this out of their hands. They want it to happen at a convenient time for them, but now it will happen at the opportune time that Judas decides. It all comes down to when their inside man can guarantee a quick and easy arrest. Oh, how the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil in this world. Do you not see that, as Jesus is betrayed, he is showing us a picture of the Father? God is the most betrayed being in the universe. He has been betrayed by a large contingent of His angels. He has been betrayed by mankind. Even today, He is being betrayed by those who claim to belong to His Church, and are even high leaders in it.
The end times will be the climax of the spirit of Judas, the spirit of this age, in which mankind in one great betrayal turns its back on God’s offer of salvation, and embraces the satanic leader that is coming. May God turn our hearts back to Him through the selfless act of salvation that we call the crucifixion of Jesus!