Mary Knew (John 12:1-11)

Mary Knew (John 12:1-11)

Introduction: Unprecedented Access to the  

It is not hyperbole to say that, by in large, we have taken that unprecedented access we have to the for . 

“We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs. The many fronts of Christian compromise in this generation can be directly traced to biblical illiteracy in the pews and the absence of biblical preaching and teaching in our homes and churches.” ~ Albert Mohler 

The Question: Why did she do it? 

Notice a few remarkable things about this text:

A. was there — John mentions in passing that this is the one Jesus raised from the dead.  This could have been the reason for the party, but it wasn’t. 

B. Notice the of the ones that gathered with Jesus — he was a “wanted man.” Again, this isn’t the evening’s most remarkable and memorable aspect.

C. Mary the body of Jesus with costly perfume is what people would remember. 

Where was Mary? At the of Jesus. 

Why did she do it? We know the answer for at least two reasons: 

A. Jesus us: “She has done it to prepare me for burial.” 

B. Simple logical deduction

“What if the passage you study today is preparing you for a trial ten years from now? Study faithfully now, trusting that nothing is wasted.” ~Jen Wilkin

All the time that Mary sat at the feet of Jesus wasn’t wasted!

Mary’s actions were a demonstration of her belief.

“Sitting at the feet of Jesus” is to be instructed by Him (His word). 

The demonstration of one’s faith comes from a deep faith — it comes from sitting at the of Jesus. 

What about Judas? 

Judas might have spent a lot of time around Jesus, but he never really sat at His .

Mary was devoted to Jesus and His instruction — Judas was not. 

Luke 7:36-38