Kingdom Way Church
March 16, 2025 - Week 2: The Anointed One (Mary’s Anointing & True Worship)
  • Our God
  • Battle Belongs
  • Same God
  • Who You Say I Am
  • You've Already Won
  • In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)
  • Reckless Love
  • Living Hope

  • the Road to the Resurrection

    Main Scripture: John 12:1-8 Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50
    Intro
    Timmy & Sarah Learn About Mary Anointing Jesus
    It was a warm Sunday afternoon, and Timmy and Sarah were sitting in the backyard, flipping through their Bibles. Their dad had just reading to them, about Jesus’ journey to the cross, and today, they were reading about a woman named Mary who did something very special for Jesus.
    “I don’t get it,” Timmy said, scratching his head. “Why would someone pour expensive perfume on Jesus' feet? That sounds like a waste!”
    Sarah frowned. “It wasn’t a waste, Timmy! It was her way of showing how much she loved Jesus.”
    Their mom overheard their conversation and sat down beside them. “You know, that reminds me of a story,” she said with a smile.
    Timmy and Sarah loved their mom’s stories. They scooted in closer, ready to listen.
    The Story of the Broken Jar
    In a small fishing village by the sea, there lived a young girl named Miriam. Her family didn’t have much, but they worked hard and loved each other deeply. Miriam’s most treasured possession was a small, beautifully carved jar made of alabaster. It wasn’t just any jar—it had belonged to her grandmother, who had passed it down to her as a reminder of their family's faith and love for God.
    Inside the jar was a rare and precious oil, something her grandmother had saved for years. “This oil is special,” her grandmother had once told her. “Use it for something truly important.”
    Miriam kept it carefully wrapped in cloth and placed on a shelf where she could admire it. She dreamed of the day she would use it for something meaningful.
    One evening, news spread through the village that a great Teacher had come to town. People whispered about His miracles—how He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and even calmed storms. Miriam was curious. She had to see Him for herself.
    The next morning, she made her way through the crowded marketplace to where the Teacher was speaking. His words were unlike anything she had ever heard. He spoke of love, forgiveness, and a kingdom not of this world. As she listened, something stirred in her heart.
    Suddenly, she noticed a poor traveler sitting nearby. His clothes were torn, and his feet were covered in dust from the long journey. No one seemed to notice him. He looked weak, as though he hadn’t eaten in days.
    Miriam felt a tug in her heart. She thought of her jar—the precious oil her grandmother had given her. She hesitated. It was her most valuable possession. But deep inside, she knew. This was the moment.
    Without a second thought, she ran home, grabbed the jar, and hurried back. Kneeling beside the traveler, she carefully poured a few drops of the oil into his hands. “This will soothe your tired feet,” she said softly. She also gave him the small loaf of bread she had brought for lunch.
    The traveler looked at her with deep gratitude. “Thank you,” he whispered.
    At that moment, the Teacher turned His gaze toward her. He smiled, His eyes full of warmth. “You have done a beautiful thing,” He said. “What you give in love is never wasted.”
    Miriam’s heart swelled with joy. She realized then that true worship wasn’t about holding onto what was precious—it was about giving it away in love.
    That day, she walked home without her jar. But somehow, she felt richer than ever before.
    Back to Timmy & Sarah
    Mom looked at Timmy and Sarah.
    then Sarah exclaimed “That’s just like what Mary did for Jesus. She knew He was the Son of God, and she wanted to honor Him before He went to the cross.”
    Timmy thought for a moment. “So… it wasn’t a waste?”
    Sarah shook her head. “Nope. It was worship.”
    Their mom nodded. “True worship is giving Jesus our best, even when others don’t understand.”
    Timmy sat back, thinking. “I don’t have fancy perfume… but I guess I can worship Jesus in other ways. Like… giving my time, or helping others.”
    Sarah grinned. “Or singing songs, or praying, or even just loving Jesus with all our hearts.”
    Mom smiled. “That’s right. Worship is about the heart. And when we give Jesus our best, just like Mary, He is pleased.”
    Timmy stood up. “Well, in that case… I think I’ll start by helping Dad clean up the garage.”
    Sarah laughed. “And I’ll set the table for dinner.”
    As they ran inside, their mom whispered, “Lord, may they always have hearts of worship.”
    And in heaven, Jesus smiled.
    Today we continue on the road to the resurrection.
    taking the time to reflect on the true purpose for Jesus taking on fleash and coming to earth.
    I mentioned last week how Christmas is meaningless without the cross.
    that Christmas is the means for Jesus to go to the cross and rise again on the third day
    John 12:1–8 NASB95
    1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
    Pray
    Some interesting tidbits about this story:
    It’s told in 3 of the 4 gospels
    John 12:1-8 Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9,
    There’s a simliar story told in Luke, but its a differnt event. Its a different time with a different woman, and a different purpose
    Luke 7:36-50

    I. A Defining Act of Worship

    In biblical times, 300 denarii was a significant amount of money.
    A denarius was a Roman silver coin that represented a day's wage for a common laborer (see Matthew 20:2).

    How Much Was 300 Denarii Worth?

    In Jesus' time:
    Since 1 denarius = 1 day's wage, 300 denarii = roughly a year’s wages (assuming a 6-day workweek).
    This means the perfume Mary used to anoint Jesus (John 12:3) was extremely expensive, possibly a family heirloom or a life savings.
    It could buy:
    Food/clothing shelter for a year
    A modest home in a rural village
    2 years of rent in Jerusalem
    to give some perspective:
    A wool tunic (basic clothing) cost around 10-15 denarii.
    A pair of sandals might cost 1-2 denarii.
    A standard donkey, used for travel and carrying goods, cost around 100 denarii.
    A high end roman banquet with all the trimmings could cost between 100-200 denarii
    In today’s money (approximate estimates based on modern wages):
    minimum wage for a laborer in Alberta today is $120/day, then 300 denarii ≈ $36,000.
    At average wage in Alberta 300 denarri would equal approximately $70,000
    The point I’m trying to make, is Mary’s gift was very extravagant
    Just Imagine for a moment.......taking 1 year of your salary and pouring it out.
    Imagine owning something of great value—something irreplaceable.
    Would you be willing to pour it all out for Jesus?
    thats literally what Mary did!
    background
    Jesus is approaching His final days before the cross.
    In Bethany,
    Bethany was a small village located about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Jerusalem,
    on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.
    It was along the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho and was a common stopping point for travelers.
    To reach Jerusalem, travelers from Bethany would go over the Mount of Olives and descend into the Kidron Valley,
    entering the city near the Temple Mount.
    This was the likely path Jesus took during His Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) (Mark 11:1-11).
    So here in Bethany at Lazarus, Martha and Mary homes
    Thesis Statement:
    Mary’s act shows that true worship is costly, intimate, and prophetic, pointing us to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

    II. The Act of True Worship (John 12:1-3)

    John 12:1–3 NASB95
    1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
    Anoints Jesus’ feet, symbolizing humility and servanthood.
    Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with costly perfume.
    Who was Mary of Bethany?
    Key Moments in Mary’s Life:
    Mary Sitting at Jesus’ Feet (Luke 10:38-42)
    Mary Witnessing the Miracle of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
    Mary Anointing Jesus (John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9)
    This moment foreshadows His burial and reveals the heart of true worship.

    What Can We Learn from Mary of Bethany?

    She prioritized Jesus over everything else.
    She chose to sit at His feet rather than be distracted by tasks.
    2. She believed in Jesus' power, even in grief.
    She trusted Him even when Lazarus died.
    3. She worshiped Jesus extravagantly.
    She gave Jesus her most valuable possession without hesitation.
    Wipes His feet with her hair—breaking social norms to express love and devotion.
    Application:
    True worship is costly—it requires surrender, sacrifice, and a heart fully given to Jesus.
    Its not just singing the songs, by rather it sharing your heart with your creator
    the one who loves you most

    III. The Response: Contrasting Hearts Toward Worship (John 12:4-6)

    John 12:4–6 NASB95
    4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
    Judas’ Reaction:
    Calls Mary’s act a waste, missing its spiritual significance.
    Claims the money should have gone to the poor, yet his heart was selfish.
    Jesus exposes his true motives—he was stealing from the treasury.
    Application:
    Counterfeit worship is self-centered, valuing earthly gain over spiritual truth.
    True worship is Christ-centered, valuing His presence above all.

    IV. Jesus’ Response: The Prophetic Significance of Worship (John 12:7-8)

    John 12:7–8 NASB95
    7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
    Jesus Affirms Mary’s Worship:
    “Leave her alone… She has anointed me for my burial.”
    Mary grasped what the disciples failed to see—
    Jesus was the Anointed One, preparing to suffer and die.
    Foreshadowing the Cross:
    Jesus, the Messiah (Anointed One), would soon pour out His life as a fragrant offering
    Ephesians 5:2 NASB95
    2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
    Mary’s anointing symbolized the burial spices used after His death
    Mark 16:1 NASB95
    1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.
    Application:
    Worship brings revelation
    it aligns us with God’s purpose and prepares us for His will.
    Sermon break Theme song “Poured out in Worship 5:44

    V. Key Lessons on True Worship

    A. True worship is costly – It requires sacrifice
    2 Samuel 24:24 NASB95
    24 However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
    B. True worship is intimate – It’s personal, unashamed, and deeply expressive.
    C. True worship is prophetic – It aligns with God’s plans and brings deeper revelation.
    D. True worship is often misunderstood – Some will criticize, but Jesus defends sincere worship.
    2 Samuel 6:14–16 NASB95
    14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. 16 Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
    2 Samuel 6:20–23 NASB95
    20 But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 “I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.” 23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

    Key Lessons from This Story:

    True Worship is Unashamed – David didn’t care about human opinions; his focus was on honoring God.
    2. Pride & Criticism Lead to Distance from God – Michal, instead of joining in worship, despised David’s joy, and as a result, she was spiritually and physically barren (2 Samuel 6:23).
    3. God Values Heartfelt Worship – David danced with all his might, showing that real worship is passionate and sincere.

    VI. Application: How Do We Worship Like Mary?

    Extravagantly: Offer our best—time, talents, resources—to Jesus.
    Humbly: Worship with surrender, setting aside pride and reputation.
    Prophetically: Worship with faith, recognizing Jesus' redemptive work.
    Unashamedly: Honor Jesus boldly, even when misunderstood.
    Conclusion
    Reflection: What is your most costly act of worship?
    Challenge: Are you holding back in worship because of fear, pride, or comfort?
    Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to stir in us a heart of true, costly worship as we walk the road to the resurrection.
Kingdom Way Church
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