The Final Week | Part 1 – Jesus’ Closest Friends!

John 12:1-3 (NIV)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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.

Jesus’ Closest Friends Have — Worshipping Him !

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (completing).

Jesus’ Closest Friends Have A — Primary Worship !

Martha’s primary worship language was – Jesus!

John 12:2 (NIV)

A dinner was given in Jesus’ honor (to express high value and worth to Jesus). Martha served,

Lazarus’ primary worship language was – Jesus!

John 12:2 (NIV)

… Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

Mary’s primary worship language was – lovingly for Jesus!

John 12:3 (NIV)

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.

Mark 14:8 (MSG)

She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial.

Mark 8:31 (NLT)

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.

Mark 9:31 (NLT)

Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”

Mark 10:33-35 (NLT)

“Listen,” Jesus said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. ³⁴ They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

3 biblical snapshots of Mary with Jesus –

Lk 10 — Mary’s at Jesus’ feet!

Jn 11 — Mary’s at Jesus’ feet!

Jn 12 – Mary’s at Jesus feet!

Jesus’ Closest Friends Don’t Allow – Worshipping To Stop Them!

John 12:4-8 (NLT)

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, ⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

⁷ Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Expect criticism when you worship Jesus with all you are and all you have!

Jesus not only defended Mary, he defends you!