Sermon: Generosity of an Unnamed Jesus Lover
Bible Passage: Mark 14:3-9
I. What is Crossroad known for?!
1. Friendliness?
2. Orderliness, on time?
3. Bible teaching?
4. Fellowship?
II. Unusual behavior of a Jesus lover, the unnamed woman
1. She was “uninvited” (verse 3)
2. She dared to come into the company of men (verse 3)
3. She brought with her something very expensive (verse 4)
a. Descriptions about what she brought: perfume, nard, pure, and expensive (verse 3)
b. It was estimated to cost 300 denarii, a person’s one year salary (verse 5)
c. Jesus deserves the best!
4. She broke the jar—“she gave all she had” (verse 8) so that she would not keep some for herself!
5. She, apparently, wasted a lot of money (verse 4)
6. She never spoke a word when all these things were happening!
7. 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
III. Jesus’ response (just opposite of what the onlookers did)
1. Approved her action (verses 6-9)
2. Did not think that it was a waste (verse 6-9)
3. Gently rebuked the onlookers (verses 6-9)
4. Though she is unnamed in the passage, Jesus decided to mention about her wherever the Gospel message was preached (verse 9)
5. Jesus did not care who it 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
IV. What do we learn?
1. 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
2. A person’s assessment of God is measured when they handle their valuables in relation to God (do they break the jar and lavish, or stingy when it comes to things of God)
3. Devotion to God is measured by one’s action, not merely by their words
4. True love and worship costs to the one who expresses it
5. Jesus is worth all our time, talent, and resources
6. God can choose to transform your small gestures to a historic proportion (cf. verse 9)
Take Away:
Become generous with your resources towards God, His work, and needy around you