Sitting at Jesus' Feet: The Heart of Worship - Mary's Example

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Learn More | https://trbc.org/encountering-jesus-study/ Watch Week 4 | https://youtu.be/Ynv2-xe9C0o Watch Week 6 | https://youtu.be/idPJ8JJPyE4 Giving | http://TRBC.org/GIVE Subscribe for weekly content | http://youtube.com/@ThomasRoadChurch?sub_confirmation=1 DISCOVER: What does the passage say? Who is the author and what is the time period that the passage was written? ◊ The author of this Gospel is traditionally believed to be the apostle, John. The exact date of the writing of the Gospel is a subject of debate among scholars, but it is generally believed to have been written between 70 and 90 A.D. What is the setting? When did it happen (look at the chapter before)? Where was it? Who is the audience? ◊ The setting was in the house of Simon the Leper, according to Mark 14:3, who was most likely related to Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. This particular event unfolded just prior to Passover, precisely six days earlier, as stated in John 12:1. ◊ Mary of Bethany was a woman from the village of Bethany, and she was the sister of Lazarus and Martha. The expensive perfume mentioned in the passage is a pound (or 500 denarii) of pure nard. Additionally, it was important that Mary let her hair down because this was a gesture of great humility and devotion. In the culture of that time, a woman letting down her hair in the presence of men, especially in a public setting, was a sign of intimacy and vulnerability. Mary’s action demonstrated her deep love and devotion to Jesus, as she used this expensive perfume to anoint His feet and then wiped them with her hair. Are any key words or phrases repeated? Which ones are the most important? ◊ The most important phrases are those that emphasize Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume and her humility in wiping His feet with her hair. These actions demonstrated her deep love, devotion, and worship to Jesus, and set the stage for the events that followed in the passage. • Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard. • Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. • The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. LEARN: What is the passage teaching? What was the biggest lesson you learned from today’s teaching? ◊ This passage illustrates the extravagant love and devotion of Mary towards Jesus. She was willing to use costly perfume to anoint His feet, showing her deep love, reverence, and worship for Him. ◊ It foreshadows Jesus’ upcoming crucifixion, as He mentions that she has anointed Him for His burial, symbolizing His impending sacrifice for humanity’s sins. ◊ It contrasts the selfless love and devotion of Mary with the greed and objection of Judas Iscariot, who criticizes her for the perceived waste of the expensive perfume, highlighting the tension between Judas’ greedy and judgmental heart and Mary’s complete devotion. What do these verses teach about God (the Father, Son, and Spirit) and His character? ◊ It shows Jesus’ awareness of His upcoming sacrifice for humanity and His humility in accepting the woman’s act of devotion. ◊ It highlights God’s willingness to accept and appreciate sincere acts of love and devotion, even when others may not understand or approve. How do these verses reveal the nature of humanity to you? ◊ Mary’s incredible display of devotion exemplifies the remarkable potential for profound affection, selflessness, and commitment that resides within the human spirit. It shows that people are capable of selfless acts when they fix their eyes on Jesus. ◊ Judas’s objection represents the human tendency to focus on material concerns and selfish interests over spiritual matters. ◊ The reaction of the crowd who was swayed by Judas’s argument demonstrates how public opinion and societal pressures can influence our human behavior. APPLY: What are you to do with the passage? 1. What does Mary’s extravagant act of anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume teach us about the nature of worship and sacrifice in our relationship with God? How can we apply this lesson to our own lives and worship practices today? 2. Mary’s actions show true boldness in her faith. Without caring about what anyone else thought, she poured it all out for the one whom she loved. Considering Mary’s boldness, what is one way that you can be bold in your faith this week? 3. How can you discern the difference between genuine acts of generosity and self-serving motives in your own life, as exemplified by Judas in this passage? 4. What steps can you take to cultivate a more sincere and selfless attitude in your actions? – Stay connected with our church. Instagram | http://instagram.com/ThomasRoad Facebook | http://facebook.com/ThomasRoad

Topics

• Worship
• Jesus Christ