Rescued – Week 5

THE POWER IN OUR POSTURE

We are in the final week of our series titled “Rescued” where we have been in the
gospel of John, looking at different stories of people that Jesus rescued.

Last week, we looked at the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.
Today we are going to continue that story. We are going to specifically look at Martha
and Mary’s response to this rescue and then we are going to look at how we too
should respond to God’s faithfulness in our life!

Before we look at Mary and Martha’s response, let’s first get some context of what
happened in Lazarus’ life that has gotten us to this point.

CONTEXT: In John 11 we read about an incredible miracle of Scripture. If you have
never read the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead, I would encourage you to
go back to Chris’ sermon from last week as he does a great job explaining it.

But Lazarus had two sisters named Mary and Martha. Lazarus was sick and died and
was dead for 4 days. Mary and Martha began asking why? If he could heal
other people, why couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying! Then the miracle
comes! Lazarus comes walking out of the tomb.

So, there’s a party thrown which sets us up for John 12:1-8.

1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home
of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’
honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary
took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she
anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with
the fragrance.

4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume
was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the
poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of
the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her
alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor
among you, but you will not always have me.”

So, Mary and Martha throw this party, excited that their brother is alive again but it’s
almost like Mary wasn’t satisfied with just a party. She wanted to show Jesus just
how thankful she was. So, she goes and busts open an expensive perfume to express
her gratitude to Jesus, and then sits at His feet.

SIDE NOTE: This specific Mary shows up 3 different times in Scripture. And every
single time, she falls to her knees and sits at the feet of Jesus.

– When Jesus was teaching, she fell at His feet to learn.
– When her life was falling apart, she fell at His feet to be healed.
– And on this day, she fell at His feet to say THANK YOU! But she didn’t just say
thank you. She had something in her hands to show that she was thankful.

Why is that significant? Because love ALWAYS gives. You can give without loving,
but you can’t love without giving. Whether that be your time, emotions, resources,
money etc. Love always gives!

So, what can we learn from Mary in this story?

1. Mary gave what she could.

This passage tells us it was an expensive nard. It was approx. 300 Denarii which
equals out to about $55,000 American dollars today.
Let’s not focus on the monetary value of the gift, but rather her heart of gratitude.
She gave what she could. But what can you do?

Mary gave what she could, so what can you give back to God as a response to what
he’s done in your life?

2. Mary gave while she could.

Her gift was given 6 days before the Passover, which was Jesus’ final meal before
dying on the cross.

This was really the only moment she had. Which speaks to an important idea. That
the right time to do the right thing is right now. If she hadn’t anointed Jesus, He
would’ve gone to the tomb unanointed.

So as Jesus sat there at the table, looking down at his feet he probably couldn’t help
but think about his dead body in that tomb being anointed because this woman
didn’t miss her opportunity.

The right time to do the right thing is right now. Don’t miss your opportunity to do
the right thing because you’re too busy in some other area of your life!

Jesus is worthy of your time, money, and treasure right now!

3. Mary received more than she gave.

a. She got to be a part of the story. In Matthew’s account of this story it says,
Matthew 26:13, 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached
throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Just like Mary, every time you give back to God, you are a part of the story of
God!

b. She received back what she gave! As she poured the nard on Jesus’ feet, she
wiped it with her hair. Her hair would’ve soaked up the very smell that filled
the room.

c. She received the memory of the moment. She would never be able to forget
this memory! Why? Because smell and memory are connected.
Every time Mary would smell this expensive nard it took her back to the feet of
Jesus and what He had done for her.

No matter who you are or what you have done, if you bring your life to the feet of
Jesus in surrender, you don’t have to walk around being reminded of your past sin
and shame. You can instead be reminded of God’s victory in your life and his love for
you!

NEXT STEPS:

1. Decide who He is.

• It makes no sense to sit at the feet of Jesus if you don’t yet believe in
  Him!

2. Once you decide who He is, respond to Him!

a. He is either Lord or a liar.

b. If He is Lord in your life, will you decide to sit at the feet of Jesus?

• At the feet of Jesus his power is known!
• At the feet of Jesus we are comforted as He is with us!
• At the feet of Jesus we are forgiven!
• At the feet of Jesus, He gives us faith when we need it most!
• At the feet of Jesus we have victory!