Calvary Road “Anointing” Jim Battle April 2, 2017

Test Question: If I mention the town of ‘Bethany’, who or what do you think of?

The Jerusalem Paparazzi Today’s Headline News: Jesus Anointed for Burial Costly perfume poured over his head Mary Wastes a Fortune in Perfume But the house smelled so good! Chief Priests Plot to Seize Jesus Here come the body-snatchers! Judas Goes for the Gold If not 300 denarii, then 30 pieces of silver

Four events in the Gospels feature a dinner where Jesus was anointed with perfume. So let’s do some OBSERVATION – WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY Matthew 26:1-16 Mark 14:1-11 Luke 7:36-50 John 12:1-11 Were they all the same event?

WHO? Matt Mark Luke John Jesus ✔

WHO? (p.2) Matt Mark Luke John ✔

WHAT? Matt Mark Luke John ✔

WHAT CONTEXT? Matt Mark Luke John ✔

WHERE? Matt Mark Luke John ✔ Luke is in Galilee, probably Nain, 10 miles SE of Nazareth – Lk 7:11 Rest are in Bethany

WHEN? Matt Mark Luke John ✔ Luke is while John the Baptist is still alive – Luke 7:18 Matt & Mark are Passover minus 2 John is Passover minus 6 (or later)

WHY? Matt Mark Luke John ✔ Mary – to prepare Jesus body for burial – Matt 26:12, Mark 14:8, John 12:7 Judas – pilfered from the money box – John 12:6, for money Matt 26:15, Mark 14:11 Crowd – to see Jesus, to see Lazarus – John 12:9 Priests – to kill Lazarus because on account of him many Jews were believing in Jesus – John 12:11

Are all 4 accounts the same event? Simple conclusion: NO Luke is definitely a different event. Matthew and Mark are clearly the same event. John is probably the same event.

Back to the Story Nearing a boiling point – Jesus knew it Frequent prior efforts of chief priests to silence Him The crowded chaos of Jerusalem at Passover residents, tons of visitors, preparations for festival, crowds interested in Jesus

Context: Travelers to Jerusalem 200 mi Source: The MacMillan Bible Atlas

John 3:14 (NASB95) 14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

Matthew 20:18–19 (NASB95) 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

Jesus told his disciples – again – that He would be crucified They still didn’t get it – or they would have done something Did Mary?

What do you see in Mary’s act?

What do you see in Jesus response?

Warren Wiersbe In a sense, Mary was showing her devotion to Jesus before it was too late. She was “giving the roses” while He was yet alive, and not bringing them to the funeral! Her act of love and worship was public, spontaneous, sacrificial, lavish, personal, and unembarrassed. Jesus called it “a good work” (Matt. 26:10; Mark 14:6) and both commended her and defended her.

Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; Words: Cecil Alexander, Music: William H. Jude Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me!" Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more!”

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these!" Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

Jesus is coming again! What should we be doing NOW while we still have time?