A TIME TO WAIT TABLES AND A TIME TO WORSHIP – A RESPONSE TO THE GRACE OF GOD
John 12:1-11
The Text:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. MARTHA SERVED, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then MARY took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12:1-11
Transition: I want to share a few thoughts to consider as we move into 2026 as a Church.
1. HONORING CHRIST AROUND THE TABLE OF FELLOWSHIP IS THE NAUTRAL TO HIS WORK IN OUR LIVES.
- Think of it, Lazarus literally had gone from death to life!! Yes, I’m thinking his would be cause enough to honor Him.
- Every resurrection in the Scriptures serves as an illustration of the saving power of Christ. When a person hears the gospel and believes there is a spiritual resurrection within that turns a person into a worshipper!
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians. 2:1-7
2. WORSHIP AND WAITING TABLES ARE BOTH IN THE OF THE BELIEVER.
Most of the time MARTHA and MARY are brought up in a sermon Martha gets all the bad press. She is the one who was upset that her sister Mary for not helping her prepare lunch for Jesus and his disciples. And yes, Jesus did chide her for missing an opportunity to sit at his feet and learn from him. However, Martha at this meal is serving from a place of gratitude rather than gripping.
Point of Interest: Every time Mary is mentioned in the Gospel’s she’s at the feet of Jesus. (Luke 10:38-39, John 11:2,32, John 12:3). Every time Martha is mentioned she serving or gripping or both. (Lk. 10:40, John 11:21-22)
- Mary is celebrated as the worshipping sister but Martha expressed her love for Jesus through service.
- Jesus said the great ones in the Kingdom are servants Matt. 20:25-28
3. WORSHIP WHICH IS MOTIVATED BY FILLS OUR LIVES WITH THE OF JESUS.
V.3 Then MARY took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Another Example of a sinful of woman who pour perfume over Jesus feet and dried them off with her hair is found in Luke 7: 36-47. In this story Jesus uses this experience as a teaching opportunity about worship that is motivated by love and gratitude.
- Worshippers give Christ their best. Expensive Perfume that cost this sister a year’s earnings.
- Judas was a crook and had ulterior motives when it came to money. He wanted to keep God’s money in his pocket. He was a taker not a giver.
- Worshippers don’t care who’s watching.
- Worshippers serve others from a place of gratitude.
CONCLUSION: