John 12:1-11

Giving the Best

Motives

Mary • She loved Jesus • She believed Jesus • She was thankful • She saw something of the suffering to come

Motives

Judas • He used a cloak of lies • There is ample opportunity to give to the poor • He was not motivated by caring for the poor • ‘because he was a thief’

Motives

Jesus • Saw through them both • He commended Mary • He rebuked Judas • He sees through us

Values

Mary • We never read that this was a wealthy family • The gift shocked those present • She gave the best • She gave it all • She poured it on his feet

Values

Judas • Regarded the offering as a waste – Matthew

26:8• Earthly thinking can never understand worship• Earthly thinking views as a waste, lives that

are given to Christ

Jim ElliotOctober 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot loose”A waste?

Shahbaz Bhatti 9 September 1968 – 2 March 2011 “As a Christian, I believe

Jesus is my strength. He has given me a power and wisdom and motivation to serve suffering humanity. I follow the principles of my conscience, and I am ready to die and sacrifice my life for the principles I believe.”A waste?

Values

Jesus • Defended Mary • Commended her• We can still smell the fragrance of her offering

Gifts

Judas • His gifts were a sham• He agreed to betray Jesus Mary • Gave everything Jesus • He was already thinking of the greatest gift of

all• He was poured out for us