Sermon Recap+ April 6th 2025

In John 12:1-8, Mary’s radical act of devotion stands in stark contrast to the responses of others in the story, showing us that following Jesus requires more than a calculated or comfortable response—it calls for radical, selfless love and worship.

This story challenges us to ask, “What would Jesus have me do in this moment?” We must think beyond our own convenience or practicality, asking ourselves if our actions reflect the depth of our gratitude and love for Christ.

From this story we can say that there are four ways to respond to the Gospel!

Lazarus’ Response: Silent TransformationLazarus, a close friend of Jesus, was raised from the dead, an extraordinary miracle. But there is no record of Lazarus sharing his testimony or telling others about this miraculous act. His transformation remained silent. This reveals a response to the gospel that many of us may experience—we are touched by God, but we don’t share it with others. This could be because we feel uncomfortable, or because we assume others don’t need to hear our story. However, when we experience life transformation, it’s meant to be shared. Like Lazarus, we may not realize that our silence could be a missed opportunity to invite others into the story of God’s grace.
Martha’s Response: Service Without ReflectionMartha, while she served Jesus, seems to miss the point of the moment. Service is good, and it’s an important part of the Christian life, but it should always point back to Christ. Martha’s focus was on the task, but she did not seem to recognize that the Savior was right in front of her. It’s easy to get caught up in the act of doing and forget the importance of being in His presence. Martha’s example calls us to reflect on our service. Do we serve out of obligation or as an offering of worship? Are we focused more on our responsibilities than on connecting with the heart of Jesus?
Mary’s Response: Radical WorshipMary’s act of pouring out expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet is a powerful expression of love and devotion. This act was not calculated or measured—it was extravagant. She broke open an alabaster jar of perfume worth a year’s wages and poured it out, humbling herself before Jesus. In this moment, she gave what was precious to her without reservation. This response challenges us to ask whether our worship is extravagant. Do we hold back when it comes to offering ourselves to Jesus, or are we willing to surrender what is valuable to us in worship? Mary teaches us that worship is more than just a song or a prayer—it’s an action, a decision to lay down our pride, our wealth, and our comfort in reverence for Christ. Her love for Jesus transcended the cost and the judgment of others.
Judas’ Response: Self-Interest and CriticismJudas, seeing Mary’s action, criticized her, suggesting that the perfume could have been sold to help the poor. However, John’s gospel reveals that Judas wasn’t concerned about the poor at all. His criticism was rooted in self-interest—he was the treasurer and would have benefited from the money. Jesus rebuked Judas, defending Mary’s act as an expression of love and worship. Judas’ response represents the kind of person who tries to undermine the works of others, whether out of jealousy, selfishness, or misunderstanding. He failed to see the value of the moment, focusing instead on the practical aspects. This serves as a cautionary tale for us—we must be mindful not to criticize or undermine the good works of others simply because we don’t understand them or because they challenge our expectations. Judas’ heart was not in the right place, and his criticism missed the true meaning of what was happening.

Life Application Questions:

Lazarus’ silence: Have you experienced the transformative power of the gospel but kept it to yourself? How can you share the life-changing work of Christ with others in your life?
Martha’s service: Are you serving others, but without focusing on Jesus? Do you see service as a way to point others to Christ, or is it just a task you feel obligated to do?
Mary’s radical worship: How are you showing love and devotion to Jesus? Is your worship extravagant, or do you hold back for fear of what others may think?
Judas’ criticism: Have you ever criticized someone for their devotion to Christ because it seemed wasteful or unconventional? How can you adjust your perspective to honor the acts of worship that may look different from what you expect?

As we reflect on the question, “What would Jesus have me do?” let us consider our own responses to the gospel. Are we like Lazarus, silent in our transformation? Are we like Martha, serving but missing the point? Are we like Mary, offering radical worship, or are we like Judas, critical and self-interested?

May we be inspired by Mary’s extravagant love and devotion to Jesus, willing to lay down our comfort, our resources, and even our pride for the sake of honoring Christ. Let us live out the gospel boldly and share it freely with others.

As we go from this place, let us ask ourselves every day, “What would Jesus have me do?” and let that question guide our actions, big and small.