Law School Lesson Series – The Law Of Christian Devotion

Mark 14:3-9
3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there
came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious;
and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why
was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been
given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good
work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them
good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the
burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the
whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of
her.

The cost of commitment.

Twice in His life was Jesus anointed: Once in Galilee, at the house of Simon the
Pharisee, by a woman who was a great sinner; and once again in Judea, at
Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, by Mary, the sister of Martha and
Lazarus.

Luke records the first instance, while Matthew, Mark, and John recount the
second. It is interesting to note, too, that in both instances the homeowner’s
name was Simon. The first Simon was “the Pharisee;” The second Simon was “the
leper.” We are not sure why each man is distinguished in such a manner; perhaps
to distinguish them from Simon Peter or Simon the Zealot (Mark 3:18).
In both cases, however, it is clear that neither of these men were in a position of
judging another.

It has been said that “the world has yet to see what God can do through a man
who is fully committed to Him.”

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Perhaps the closest we can come to defining the type of devotion and
commitment we are talking about comes from the life of the apostles.
At one point, their devotion to the cause of Christ resulted in it being said of them
that they were those who had “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

Our text this evening would also give some insight as to the cost of true Christian
devotion and commitment. And, as we can clearly see, Christian devotion will cost
you. It is important to note that when Jesus answers His critics, and hence the
critics of Mary, from the outset He lays down the great motive of it all by saying,
“she hath wrought a good work on Me.”

You see, the question is not, “To what purpose?” but; “For whose sake?”

Back To Bethany

Revisiting the scene in Bethany, we find Simon the leper, Lazarus, the twelve
disciples, and Jesus sitting on the floor reclining around the dinner table.
A woman identified as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, by John in twelfth
chapter of his Gospel, approaches Jesus from behind and, breaking open an
alabaster box of very precious spikenard ointment, begins to pour it over His head
(and His feet, according to John). This alabaster box (most likely a family
heirloom) was a beautiful and expensive vase with a long, slender neck carved
from translucent gypsum. The ointment she used was a fragrant ointment
imported from the mountains of India. This was pure and genuine ointment, thus
very costly.

In India, the favorite healing salve is attar of roses. It takes 150 pounds of roses
(about 400,000 roses in one estimate) to make just 1 ounce of essential oil for this
ointment. Attar of roses is one of the most valuable of the volatile oils, in fact, it is
more valuable than gold. It has been estimated that Mary’s gift to Jesus was
worth a year’s wages for an average worker. Mary gave lavishly and lovingly.
So as you can see, this was an intensely fervent expression of devotion, as fervent
as found anywhere in the Bible.

It is apparent that Mary had a total disregard for what any of the others might
think of her extravagant outpouring of love and devotion.

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No doubt she was surprised, if not mortified, by the unexpected response of the
disciples, which, according to John, was originated by Judas. In fact, Mark records
that “Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this
waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the
money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly” (v. 4-5)

Judas, with proverbial calculator in hand, a man who knew the price of everything
and the value of nothing, instantly calculated the waste. The word “waste” in
verse 4 is, in the Greek, the same as “perdition” in John 17:12, a verse that refers
to Judas. It was Judas who was the “waster,” not Mary! He wasted his God-given
opportunities and eventually wasted his life, ending it by committing suicide.

What a contrast between Mary the worshiper and Judas the traitor!
Alexander MacLaren once said, “There are a great many useless things which, in
Heaven’s estimate, are more valuable than a great many apparently more
practical ones.”

There are a few lessons that we need to take away from our text this evening…
Perhaps we could call them the consequences of consecration and commitment.
This, then, is the law of Christian devotion.

The Law Of Christian Devotion

The first consequence of Mary’s action was that the house was filled with the
beautiful fragrance of the ointment (John 12:3). It is important to note that had
Mary poured only a small amount of the ointment out on Jesus, He would have
been just as anointed, but the fragrance would not have filled the whole house.

I have observed that some people live their life purposing to do only what is
required of them; not an ounce more. I am reminded of an incident that
happened several years ago on an extremely hot day as a crew of men who were
working on the road bed of the railroad when they were interrupted by a slow
moving train. The train ground to a stop and a window in the last car, which
incidentally was custom made and air conditioned, was raised. A booming,
friendly voice called out, “Dave, is that you?” Dave Anderson, the crew chief
called back, “Sure is, Jim, and it’s really good to see you.”

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With that pleasant exchange, Dave Anderson was invited to join Jim Murphy, the
president of the railroad, for a visit. For over an hour the men exchanged
pleasantries and then shook hands warmly as the train pulled out. Dave
Anderson’s crew immediately surrounded him and to a man expressed
astonishment that he knew Jim Murphy, the president of the railroad as a
personal friend. Dave then explained that over 20 years earlier he and Jim
Murphy had started to work for the railroad on the same day. One of the men,
half-jokingly and half-seriously asked Dave why he was still working out in the hot
sun and Jim Murphy had gotten to be president. Rather wistfully Dave explained,
“twenty-three years ago I went to work for $1.75 an hour and Jim Murphy went
to work for the railroad.”

Listen, when Mary broke open her precious box at the feet of Christ, not only did
the scent pervade the upper room; it filled the whole house! Because there was a
spirit of consecration in that upper and inner chamber, the influence of it was felt
in the common rooms and workplaces downstairs. It is important to know that
your worship, though meant for Jesus only, will be felt in the common areas of
life.
On the job, as you fellowship with your fellowman, In the classrooms of your
school, In your home, In the businesses you frequent, no matter where you go,
what you do, or who is present; true worship cannot be hidden.

The fragrance of worship will reach into every area of your life.

From the day Noah stepped off of the Ark and built an altar unto the Lord, and
offered burnt offerings of every clean beast (Genesis 8:20-22), our worship has
been a sweet savor, a sweet aroma, unto the Lord.

Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt
offering unto the Lord: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the Lord.

Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest
shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a
sweet savour unto the Lord.

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Leviticus 3:5 And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice,
which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a
sweet savour unto the Lord.

Now watch this:

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are
saved, and in them that perish:

Your very life in Christ is a sweet fragrance unto the Father!

But this life in Christ is a life of worship that will cost you something! Mary gave
her most treasured possession to Jesus; and we can do no less. In II Samuel,
chapter 24, we read where King David wanted to buy a field that belonged to
Araunah the Jebusite. When Araunah found out David wanted it, he said, “O king,
Araunah gives all this to the king.” But King David responded, as recorded in II
Samuel 24:24… “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my
God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

True worship will cost you something, but whatever the cost it will be worth it,
because the effects of true worship reach far beyond your realm of influence and
into areas you never dreamed possible.

The Criticism Of Christian Devotion

The second consequence of Mary’s action was that the disciples, led by Judas,
criticized her for wasting her valuable ointment on Jesus’ feet. In fact, it is
apparent that Judas tried to categorize Mary’s actions as that of being completely
selfish! “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to
the poor?” Was the seeming concerned query. The truth of the matter, according
to John’s account, was that Judas said this not because he cared two cents about
the poor, but because he was a thief! He was in charge of the disciples’ common
funds and, according to John, he also embezzled them! (John 12:6).

Even in the Upper Room, six days later, the disciples still thought Judas was
concerned about helping the poor (John 13:21-30).

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It is interesting that the word translated “waste” in Mark 14:4 is translated
“perdition” in John 17:12 and applied to Judas! Judas criticized Mary for “wasting
money,” but he wasted his entire life!

Now watch this: A study of Judas’s character in the context of Mary’s uninhibited
devotion to Christ reveals what it is that often causes a believer to become
hypocritical and unbelieving. Judas followed Jesus, but he criticized other
believers. He was a professing believer, but when he disagreed with others, he
criticized them. He criticized even those who had great devotion and love for the
Lord. He criticized even those who repented to the point of making great
sacrificial gifts.

In fact, Mark points out in his Gospel that Judas was especially strong in his
criticism, saying that Judas was indignant, growling, rebuking, and scolding (this is
what the Greek word translated “indignation” means). To Judas, this lavish act of
worship seemed too valuable and priceless to waste on Jesus. It seemed too
costly and sacrificial. It seemed unnecessary, misplaced, and wasted. Judas and
any others who thought like him couldn’t have been more wrong!

It is obvious to even the most casual observer that Judas worked for Jesus, but he
did not love Jesus. It seems to me that this problem still exists today. There seems
to be quite a number of folk who “work” for Jesus, but they have never fallen in
love with Him. Jesus said of those folks…

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

The Acceptance Of Christian Devotion

The third consequence of Mary’s action was that Jesus commended her and
accepted her gracious gift. He knew the heart of Judas and understood why the
other disciples followed his bad example. He also knew Mary’s heart and quickly
defended her. Paul said in Romans 8:33, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of
God's elect? It is God that justifieth.”

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Then he recorded one of the most-often quoted passages of all time…

Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as
sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Listen to Pastor:
No matter what others may say about our worship and service, the most
important thing is that we please the Lord. The fact that others misunderstand
and criticize us should not keep us from showing our love to the Lord. Our
concern should be His approval alone.

When Mary gave her best at the feet of Jesus, she started a “wave of blessing”
that has been going on ever since. She was a blessing to Jesus as she shared her
love, and she was a blessing to her home as the fragrance spread. Were it not for
Mary, her village, Bethany, would probably have been forgotten. The account of
her deed was a blessing to the early church that heard about it and, because of
the records in three of the Gospels, Mary has been a blessing to the whole world
for many generations; and still is! The Lord’s prediction has certainly been
fulfilled.

Mary gave her best in faith and love, which is the fulfillment of the Law of
Christian Devotion. God wants from us the best we have to offer. That is the
greatest act of worship.

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Illustration – a gift that cost

I recently read where two wealthy Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, joined a
party that was traveling around the world.

In Korea one day, they saw, in a field by the side of the road, a boy pulling a rude
plow, while an old man held the plow handles and directed it.

The lawyer was amused, and took a snap shot of the scene.
“That’s a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor,” he said to the missionary,
who was interpreter and guide to the party.
“Yes,” was the reply.
“That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church was being built they were eager
to give something to it, but they had no money; so they sold their only ox and
gave their money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow
themselves.” The lawyer and the businessman by his side were silent for some
moments. Then the business man said, “That must have been a real sacrifice.”
“They did not call it that,” said the missionary. “They thought that it was fortunate
that they had an ox to sell.”

I’m talking about The Law of Christian Devotion.

That poor Korean family gave to the Lord the best they had to offer; and gave it
with the right motive; love.

Bringing It Home

Like Mary’s actions, and like the actions of this poor Korean family, there are
some things that have a language of their own. There are thoughts too solemn,
and sweet, and holy, to be enmeshed in words. There are sentiments too refined
for vocalization, yet which the soul with indescribable yearning longs to express.
The musician takes refuge in music and makes song his soul expression.
The artist flings his emotions into canvas and color and tone and light.
But we who are without such talents must make use of God’s handiwork.

Sometimes we struggle with what to say; the words seem to be right there, yet
we are unable to adequately express those thoughts.

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Don’t worry yourself over it! God understands! He knows the very secrets of our
hearts, and therefore He knows what it is you wish to say.

Rather than frustrating yourself over verbiage, do what Mary did; just pour out to
God the best of what you have and the fragrance of your open and honest
worship will permeate this place, bringing with it the blessing of God’s abiding
presence. The fragrant expression of Mary’s love and devotion for Christ was a
message of a love that never counts the cost. Her act of devotion was equivalent
of a year’s wage! But love and devotion is never so beautiful, so divine, as when it
is expressed in the terms of sacrifice. And this kind of love pleases the Master!

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.

Christians must possess a single-minded passion to please God in love, devotion,

praise, and holiness, and to offer the members of their bodies for His service!

I wish somebody in this house would go ahead and break open their worship and
lavish it upon the Lord tonight.

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