36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 8:36-38
Introduction
Over the past five weeks, we have been talking about giving back to God what is rightfully his. We called the series “Management 101”, because it is about the realization that we are only managing what is not rightfully ours, but God’s.
We have seen in this series that people belong to God. My body belongs to God. My time and my money are not really mine – they too belong to God. And the first tangible result of stewardship is – we freely give these things to him.
Story about an Indian that came to the altar to pray… He gave his cigarettes, his watch, his wallet, his ring, his pocketknife… Finally he laid himself on the altar.
This is the real proof of stewardship. It is when I get beyond just giving God my money, my time, my family. It is when I realize that indeed all of my life belongs to Him. I demonstrate that when I give him my worship.
What is worship? It is more than thanksgiving. It is more than praise. Worship is more than a word, a song, or a gift. The word literally means to prostrate oneself in homage to. Jesus deserves my tithes and offerings. He deserves my time.
But what I came to tell you today is that really – Jesus deserves nothing less than my worship. He deserves nothing less than for me to lay my life at his feet – for me to put myself on the altar.
This is a familiar story to all of us. It is the story of the sinful woman, pouring her expensive perfume on Jesus. This story is actually found in all four of the gospels. Each writer has a slightly different perspective, but by examining each closely, we can begin to see a complete picture of what happened that day. These accounts are found in:
- Matt 26:6-13
- Mark 14:3-9
- Luke 7:36-47
- John 12:1-8
The Characters
The woman was most likely Mary Magdalene – who was most likely the sister of Martha. Scholars have debated whether there are two or three “Mary’s” in the Gospel record, but this story in particular leads us to believe that there are only two. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, the sister of Martha.
…Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume;… John 12:2-3
This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. John 11:2 (NIV)
Luke 12:37 (text) – a sinful woman… Either this is Mary Magdalene, or there were two friends of Jesus named Mary that had bad reputations. Notice when Jesus went out with his disciples in Luke 8:
The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Luke 8:1-2 (NIV)
Whether the Mary in the store is the one called Magdalene or not – Jesus had apparently shown her great mercy. And she was known to show her appreciation to an extent that sometimes even those close to her misunderstood and criticized her.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Luke 10:38-40 (NIV)
This is not the same occasion as the famous Mary and Martha story – although it is the same Mary. In our text today, which occurs later, Jesus is not at Martha’s house. He is at the house of a Pharisee named Simon, otherwise known as Simon the Leper. From our text today:
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner… (v 36)
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." (v 40)
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came… (Mat 26:6)
We don’t know the details of this man’s story… But some things are obvious.
- He had been healed of leprosy. Probably by Jesus?
- He had separated himself from the bulk of Pharisees, who in this final week of Jesus life were trying to kill Jesus. But Simon was actually hosting a dinner in his honor. (John 12:2)
Both of these people, Simon and Mary, have been remarkably transformed by the power of Jesus. Both of them are in some way showing appreciation. But yet Simon is still reserved in his gift. Everything is proper. His approach is just right. But he still has some reservations…
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." Luke 7:39
Of course, in the next few verses Jesus reveals that he knows what Simon is thinking, and he commends Mary at the same time he mildly rebukes the Pharisee for his pride.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:44-47 (NIV)
The Bible does not tell us any more about Simon. Apparently the events of this week had a positive impact on him. Christian traditions say that he remained close friends with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, and travelled with them to spread the gospel in the area we now know as France.
Of course, the most important character in this story is Jesus. He is, or is becoming – the focus of both Simon’s and Mary’s life. They are there only because Jesus is there. And they are both honoring him in some way. Simon is throwing a dinner party for Jesus. And Mary is worshipping him.
Put yourself into this story…
And he is, or is becoming – the focus of our lives today. You and I are both here because of Jesus. This service today is in his honor. But I wonder – which of these people do we relate to best?
I’m afraid most of us will find ourselves in the shoes of Simon. We’re very interested in Jesus. He has made a difference in our lives. We’re showing our appreciation in an appropriate manner. We’re being proper about it. We dressed up nice. We brought our tithes and offerings. We sang our songs.
I know as Pastor, I’m often very concerned about the order of service. I want everything to flow just right. I want our guests to be impressed with what we have to offer. And the truth is – I’m sort of hoping that Mary doesn’t show up and embarrass us.
But I present to you that Jesus is hoping that a Mary does show up… He is waiting for someone to say – I don’t care what anyone else thinks… I don’t care if it makes sense or not. I’m not trying to impress anyone, nor am I trying get attention. The only thing I care about right now is – Jesus is here.
I want to help you become a Mary today. I want to help you give God what he deserves – and that is nothing less than your worship.
Examining Mary’s act of Worship
1) She got close to him.
She stood behind him at his feet (v 38)
a. The easiest place to get close is at his feet (example – woman with the issue of blood)
b. It is the position of a servant
2) She came prepared to give
When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume (v 37)
3) She showed heartfelt gratitude
She stood behind him at his feet, weeping (v 38)
It seems that the story begins with heartfelt gratitude. Something wells up in her when she gets into the presence of Jesus. She remembers – she weeps.
Worship must begin in the heart. You may not be a weeper. Some people are, some people aren’t. It is not up to me to judge your presentation. You know – God knows.
This is why we are told to “look to the pit from which we were digged” (Isa 51:1)
4) She was not concerned with appearances
…she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them (v 38)
a. but put herself into it
Often times it is easy to give of what we have. But true worship is begins with giving of ourselves.
5) It began as a measured offering
…and poured perfume on them (v 38)
It was at this time that Simon thinks to himself, “If Jesus was really a prophet…” And Jesus speaks aloud to Simon.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:44-47 (NIV)
Notice He turned towards the woman. He wasn’t whispering this in Simon’s ear. He was speaking to Simon, but to her at the same time.
Two of the gospels say she poured it on his feet. Two say on his head. I can only imagine how this act of worship progresses… She comes prepared to give. Her heart is in her gift. She puts herself into the gift. Initially, it is a measured gift. But then Jesus turns toward her.
What happens when it becomes apparent to us that we have an audience? Our gift is not unnoticed?
6) It progresses to an act of reckless abandon
She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3
Was this in response to an indirect invitation? Jesus included in his rebuke to Simon that he had not anointed his head. But something inspired Mary to give even more than she had come expecting to give.
What happens when we worship?
1) We get God’s attention
44 Then he turned toward the woman… Luke 7:44
2) We are misunderstood
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. Mat 26:8
3) We become a participant in the Gospel
a. But beyond that – she actually helped fulfill His purpose
When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Mat 26:12
b. She left a legacy
…wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her Mat 26:13 |
