"WORSHIP OR WASTE?" Read: Matthew ch 26 v’s 1-16 v.6 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany… Our Lord had entered the final week of His earthly ministry. In a few days time, He would be crucified in Jerusalem. In this passage of Scripture, Matthew recalls an event which took place four days previously – Mary’s beautiful act of anointing the Saviour’s body for His forthcoming burial. (v’s 12 & 13) Simon had been healed of his leprosy. Now there were at least 17 people in Simon’s house. Jesus and his disciples were there. Mary, Martha & Lazarus had also called in for a friendship meal. How these people loved Jesus! MARY Mary proceeds to open a most valuable and precious box of ointment. Instead of anointing Jesus after His death, she does it before His death. Here is a woman acting in faith! This body would not see corruption (Psalm 16 v 10). It would not decay as others, so the traditional care of the body would not be necessary. Mary was a deeply spiritual woman. Her insight was deeper than that of the disciples around Him, so much so that she upstaged them all. Hers was : (1) An unreserved offering It was worth about 300 days’ wages. Extravagant? She gave herself to Jesus with no reserve. Do you? Paul said in Romans ch 12 v. 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.” Remember! We are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6 v 20). Jesus Christ paid the supreme price to redeem us. (2) An unashamed action She anointed His head and wiped His feet with her hair. A woman’s hair is her glory, but she surrendered her glory to give glory to Him. What others thought of Mary was of no significance to her. She would not have another opportunity like this to show her affection and faith. We miss many opportunities to pour out our heart affection because we are afraid of the reactions of others. (3) An unblemished love She was a devoted follower of Jesus and she did this out of love for Him. She was not on a publicity stunt. She was not seeking to make a great name for herself. Her motivation was a God given love for the Lord. Yet she was misunderstood and misjudged by the disciples – of all people! (4) An undying testimony Think of the repercussions of that one act of utter selflessness by one woman! Jesus said this would be spoken of for a memorial of her. How true! Generations of people have read of Mary’s unselfish offering and have been challenged by her life. What will you be remembered for? (5) An unshakeable faith Each time we read of Mary, she is sitting at Jesus’ feet - hearing His Word (Luke 10 v 39), sorrowing at her brother’s death (John 11 v 28) and worshipping (John 12 v 1). JUDAS ISCARIOT What a contrast! Such a tragic figure in contrast to the dignity and true spirituality of Mary! He sounded so spiritual that the other disciples joined him in criticism of Mary. (1) The traitor v. 15. A few days later, we find him in the company of the Jesus’ enemies. He asks, “What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” Here was a man who had followed the Master for three years. He had listened to His words and shared in His ministry. Yet he turned out to be a traitor. (2) The waster He was the one who spoke of Mary’s act as an extravagant waste. Did he have any concept of the true meaning of the word? “Why this waste?” he asks. Yet we find him wasting his God given opportunities to be right. He wasted his life. He lost his immortal soul. Little wonder Jesus called him the son of perdition! (Literally, the son of waste) (3) The wages Thirty pieces of silver were more valuable to Judas than eternity with Christ. Is this not the contorted concept of the ungodly regarding what is valuable and what is worthless? What a contrast between a woman who was prepared to give all to adore the Saviour, and a man who was prepared to take a mere thirty pieces of silver (the price of a slave) and betray the Saviour! The sad thing is, there are many like Judas Iscariot today. They waste their lives on the worthless pleasures of sin. They covenant with sin and the devil to reject Jesus Christ and eternal salvation. Ultimately they lose all for ever. In conclusion Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot have been spoken of for two thousand years, but in what different terminology! Both individuals have lived in eternity since then, but in what different circumstances! Both stand as representative figures in human history. There are those like Mary, who sell out to Jesus Christ. There are those like Judas, who sell out Jesus. In which category are you? . If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this website by Rev. Stewart. Due to be updated: end May Archived Messages. 22/10/05 A harvest romance. 11/09/05 An effective evangelist. 08/05/05 A Day of Trouble. 01/03/05 A Growing Church. 24/12/04 Christmas Message. 18/09/04 The Three-fold Inheritance. 23/05/04 Christ Our Life. 30/01/04 Being Faithful. 27/12/03 Advent Prediction. 11/10/03 Watchman - Guilty or Guiltless? 14/05/03 An epoch making day. 20/04/03 All hail the risen Lord. 22/03/03 Heart Cry for Revival. 02/01/03 The Church of the Open Door. 02/12/02 The River of Blessing. 01/09/02 The Revelation of the River. 04/05/02 The Greatest Watershed in History. 29/01/02 Knowing and doing the Will of God. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message