SN - notes from 7/3/10
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SN 7/3/10 - Smelly Christians
Mark 14:1-11
the plot (v1-v2)
v1 - The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod. 12; 23:15; 34:18, 25; Lev. 23:5-8; Num. 9:1-14; 28:16-25; Deut. 16:1-8; Ezek. 45:21-24), was a 7 day feast celebrating Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt.
observation - in a time where one was to be “leaven” free, the chief priests and scribes were seeking to murder an innocent Man - all b/c they were envious! (Mark 15:10)
v2 - “uproar” b/c the passover would be an ideal time for the Messiah to show up, and many thought Jesus might be Him. They did it anyway though.
the perfume (v3-v9)
v3a - Bethany is about 2 miles outside Jerusalem
v3b - Simon the Leper is not Simon the Pharisee from Luke 7 - different time, house, woman, anointing, and purpose
general observations -
1. alabaster = calcium carbonate
2. spikenard = a plant whose rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into a thick, intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil.
3. costly = according to Matt. 20:2, a denarius was a day’s wage - 300 denarii = about a year’s salary for this flask of perfume.
4. Anointed His head, and feet (John 12)
specific observations
1) according to Luke, she used her hair to rub in the oil and absorb the excess - this would mean she smelled like Jesus, and all in the room would of smelled a mixture of their combined scent.
2) 2 Cor. 2:14-15 - Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who
who are perishing.
So be smelly.
“A sweet savour of Christ! It does not consist so much in what we do, but in our manner of doing it; not so much in our words or deeds, as in an indefinable sweetness, tenderness, courtesy, unselfishness, and desire to please others to their edification. It is the breath and fragrance of a life hidden with Christ in God, and deriving its aroma from fellowship with Him. Wrap the habits of your soul in the sweet lavender of your Lord’s character.” (FB Meyer)
How can I be more “smelly”?
a. By living your life based on the “triumph” we have in Jesus.
b. By being at the feet of Jesus (listening and worshipping) - which we will look at soon.
c. By enduring seasons of “crushing” :/
1 Peter 1:6-7 - leads to a “purer” smell
James 1:2-4 - leads to a more “perfect” smell
Acts 14:20-22 - And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
This might make more sense when “tribulations” are connected to a greater ability in terms of helping others make it to the “kingdom of God” too.
3) Based on Luke 10:38 and John 12:2-8, this was her 2nd time at His feet. The first time, she sat at His feet to hear His word, but this time, she sat at His feet to serve Him - both are integral in our ministry TO Him.
4) Expect opposition when you hear and serve = Martha tried to get her to “help” her serve others, and Judas and some of the 12 “criticized her sharply” for serving Jesus
5) Recognize the need for both (hearing His word and ministering to Him) and be aware of the warfare that will try to keep you from doing both - you must hear and minster to Jesus, before you can effectively hear and serve others.
5) (con’t) - this is why Jesus specified that the poor would always be there to serve (as opposed to Him), and that she had done a “good work for Him”
v8 - “She has done what she could”.
observation - what can you do effectively and uniquely for Jesus?
v9 - Mary’s memorial
observation - significant because she’s a woman, and because she’s not a preacher/teacher, or warrior. God chose to use her story and her unique ministry to Him b/c she was humble, generous, and at His feet.
v10-11 - Judas’ memorial
observation - Although he was always with Jesus, had giftings, and was used by God in more “spectacular” ways than Mary - he was prideful, greedy and just around Jesus.
applications
1. Learn from Mary and stay at the feet of Jesus - be in His word, be worshipful and endure opposition with regard to these things.
2. Learn from Judas and beware of only being close to
Jesus in proximity and not relationship.
3. Be smelly.
