45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” John 11:45-48 ESV
Jesus was a THREAT to power and prestige.
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” John 11:49-50 ESV
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Motivated by fear, it was determined PROFITABLE to kill Jesus.
51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:51-52 ESV
God is at work in the midst of sinful people and wickedness.
- God used Caiaphas to prophesy (apparently unknowingly)
- Jesus would die for the nation of Israel (on the cross)
- Jesus would gather the children of God (Jews, Gentiles)
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29 The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 ESV
John: “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Caiaphas: “It is better for you that one man should die for the people.”
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53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. John 11:53-54 ESV
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. John 11:55-57 ESV
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. John 12:1 ESV
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Jesus was an ASSURANCE to resurrection and life.
2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:2-3 ESV
Motivated by love, it was determined WORTHY to worship Jesus.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:4-8 ESV
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God is at work in the midst of humility and gratefulness.
- God used Mary to anoint Jesus (announcing His death)
- Jesus would be buried (Lazarus was no longer buried)
- Jesus would be alive a little longer (divine appointment)
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Caiaphas saw Jesus as a threat to power and prestige.
Mary saw Jesus as an assurance to resurrection and life.
Caiaphas, motivated by fear, determined it profitable to kill Jesus.
Mary, motivated by love, determined it worthy to worship Jesus.
Caiaphas related to Jesus in sin and wickedness.
Mary related to Jesus in humility and gratefulness.
Caiaphas: Threatened, fearful, choosing sin and wickedness.
Mary: Assured, loving, choosing humility, and gratefulness.
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How does Jesus receive an anointing?
7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:7-8 ESV
10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Matthew 26:10-13 ESV
6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Mark 14:6-9 ESV
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:44-47 ESV
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“Me. Beautiful. Gospel. Forgiven. Love.” —Jesus