A LIFE THAT PLEASES JESUS
John 12: 1-11
BY: Dr. Robert F. Toney
(1) As we come to the 12th chapter of John, we are going with Jesus to make a visit to a home. "The home where Lazarus was which was dead, whom he raised from the dead."
(2) Jesus opened His public ministry at a home at a wedding in Cana of Galilee
(3) He closes his ministry by a visit to this home. Our Lord seems to have put an emphasis on the home.
(4) I ‘m sure that if Jesus could be her in bodily form and preach to us today, he would lay a great emphasis on the Christian Mother in the home.
(5) Some things are soon forgotten, but here we are 2,000 years later, still reading and preaching the memorial to this woman, Mary.
(6) Let us notice some things in this scripture about the kind of service it takes to please the Lord.
I. NOTICE THE DINNER THAT JESUS FRIENDS PLANNED FOR HIM
A. In Jerusalem they were planning and plotting Jesus death.
B. But, here in Bethany his friends plan a dinner for him.
C. Jesus loved fellowship with friends of his.
Right in the shadow of his cross, those who loved Him made him a dinner.
D. I see three things in this dinner here:
1. Lazarus had been raised from the dead and was in fellowship with Jesus.
2. Then, Mary is sitting at Jesus feet.
a. She is growing in Grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
b. I hear a lot of people telling what they are going to do when they get to heaven.
c. well, I believe it would be good just to get to sit at Jesus feet and Worship Him, Adore Him, Grow in the Grace and knowledge of Him
3. Then there is Martha , serving: putting on a meal. That seems to be her gift and she is exercising that gift.
a. these are the essentials in the church today.
b. New life in Christ; Worship; Adoration; and Service.
E. Do you know what the weakness is in Christianity today?
1.It is not numbers, not buildings, [we have the finest] it is not the gospel.
2. The greatest weakness today is that Christians don’t live like they should !
3. How many people are made to think of the blessedness of Jesus when they look at you and me? Word ["Please" appears 14 times in 14 verses in NT.]
Look at 2 Tim. 2:4 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
II. NOTICE THE DEVOTION AND DEEP AFFECTION OF MARY
A. Her anointing Jesus feet, was intended as a token of her love for Christ.
1. It was a generous love.those who love Christ better than this world are willing to lay out their best for Him.
a. She might have ordered a servant to anoint him.
b. there should be no service too hard or too mean to stoop to when Jesus may really be glorified!
3. It was a believing love.
a. her faith was working by this love.
b. she believed in Christ, the Anointed of God.
4. Notice with me thirdly:
III. THE DELIGHTFUL DEED THAT MARY DID
1. Mark says that "she hath done what she could."
2. This was a very expensive box of Spikenard - and Mary poured it out upon Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
3. There are three things that makes your service pleasing to the Lord.
A. Do what you can !
1. God does not require more of me, than that which He hath already given me.
2. Illustration: A lot of times parents give the children an allowance, and they will buy them a Christmas gift with the money.
3. But they are buying the parents a gift with their own money. ‘Really’
4. Listen, do what you can with what God has given you. He don’t expect any more, but He expects that much of you and of me.
Illustration: David had five stones: but he conquered the giant.
Illustration: Widow had a pot of oil, but the oil didn’t run out as long as she had vessels.
5. It is not someone else’s opinions about what you or I do, not even our own opinion, it is what the Lord thinks about it !
B. Do that much !
1. Mary did all she could: Make certain that you do all that you can.
Do that much !
2. Have you done all that you know to do where you are?
C. Do it now !
1. Mary anointed Jesus feet ahead of time for his burial.
2. When she wiped Jesus feet with her hair the same aroma that was on Him came back to her !
3. You never do anything for Jesus, but what it comes back to you.
Conclusion:
1. Your service will be pleasing to Jesus if you will do what you can: Do that Much:
2. And do it now.
Invitation:
Will you come and offer Jesus your services in that manner today? You will grow more like Jesus if you will.
