1. Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11 The Gift The Evidence

2. The Gift  Anointed for burial  Does not go south from Ephraim – North gate  Instead, he goes east to the Jordan River Valley  South to Jericho – Luke 19:1-10; Mark 10:46-52 Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

3. Luke 19:1-10 (NASB) 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

4. Luke 19:1-10 (NASB ) 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

5. Mark 10:46-52 (NASB) 46 Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

6. The Gift  Anointed for burial  Does not go south from Ephraim – North gate  Instead, he goes east to the Jordan River Valley  South to Jericho – Luke 19:1-10; Mark 10:46-52  Then west to Bethany  John records none of this  Instead, he focuses on this “thank you” dinner  What stuck out was not Lazarus or “the friends”  It was all about Mary’s action with the perfume Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

7. The Gift  The one who knew  As far as we can tell, Mary is the only one who knew this truth, which could only be revealed by God.  Why did Mary see and not others?  She spent much of her time at the feet of Jesus! Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

8. The Gift  Extravagance of love – Why did she do it?  To point others to Jesus  To show Jesus her love for Him  Wanted to identify with His coming sorrow  These are all things Jesus did for her in the raising of her brother from the dead  Mary gives her most valuable possession  Are you like Judas or Mary? Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

9. The Gift  A lasting memorial  Mark 14:9 – all will remember! Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

10. Mark 14:9 (NASB) 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

11. The Gift  A lasting memorial  Mark 14:9 – all will remember!  Do you want to be remembered?  Don’t build monuments, build love!  Share your possessions!  More importantly, share yourself!  Even Martha gets into this with hard work!  Whether it is perfume or perspiration, do it all to the glory of God so others may know the truth! Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

12. The Evidence  One must die – John 11:50  First Jesus, then Lazarus …  Then Stephen …  Then James …  Then Peter …  Lazarus was evidence!  We, as believers, should also be evidence!  Are you evidence? Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

13. The Evidence  What does Lazarus give us?  He is an irresistible attraction.  Are you an irresistible attraction to the truth of Jesus Christ?  Lazarus had been brought to life!  Lazarus was with Jesus!  Lazarus was a blessing to many!  He became a threat to unbelievers.  That threat is both political and religious. Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11

14. Application Have you given all to Jesus? Everything? Your love, your gratitude, your time, your efforts, and even your possessions? Are you evidence of the risen Christ? Could you be convicted of a life changed by and sold out to Christ? Evidence That Demands a Verdict! John 12:1-11