Sermon: Extravagance Towards The Triune God
Bible Passage: Mark 14:3-9
I. Some Observations on the Unnamed Woman of Mark 14:3-9
1. She had a grateful appreciation for Jesus
a. Her appreciation was not mere words but in deeds
b. Her appreciation for Jesus was so strong that she broke conventions
c. Cultivate a growing appreciation for the Triune God
2. She was generous towards Jesus
a. She brought with her something very expensive to be used for Jesus
b. This nameless woman knew that Jesus deserves the best!
i. She broke the jar—“she gave all she had” (verse 8) so that she would not keep some for herself!
ii. She does not seem to be a wealthy person, but she acted like a wealthy person—in other words, wealth does not make a wealthy person, but behavior makes a person wealthy
c. Become generous with your resources towards God, His work, and needy around you
3. She ignored the criticisms and disparaging comments of the onlookers, but she was busy focusing on Jesus (verses 4-5)
a. Verse 4: Some who were present indignantly said to one another, “Why this waste of expensive ointment?”
b. Verse 5: “It could have been sold for more than three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor!” So, they spoke angrily to her
c. She never spoke a word when all these things were happening!
i. Jesus approved her action (verses 6-9)
ii. Jesus did not think that it was a waste (verse 6-9)
iii. Jesus gently rebuked the onlookers (verses 6-9)
d. Though she is unnamed in the passage, Jesus decided to mention about her wherever the Gospel message was preached (verse 9)
e. Jesus did not care who she was and what her background was—what she was in the past did not matter; what she is now matters—she is a Jesus-lover
f. Avoid the company of bullies, fruitless criticism of others, but be busy with the interests of God
II. Why did she show devotion to Jesus? What do we learn?
1. Devotion to God is measured by one’s action, not merely by their words
2. Jesus is worth all our time, talent, and resources—So, break the jar and express your extravagance towards the Triune God
3. God can choose to transform your small gestures to a historic proportion (cf. verse 9)
4. The Jesus-lover, the unnamed woman, is not remembered for her sins prior to meeting Jesus, but she is remembered for her extravagance towards Jesus after He met her
Take Away:
Make Jesus get excited by your gestures towards Him like the unnamed woman