SAINTS & SINNERS: MARY February 21 2021

Timothy 1:12-17 Mark 14:1-9

Over the next five Wednesday evenings, we will consider various saints who made confession to Christ Jesus. Some made their confessions with words, others with actions. Yet, as we know, these saints were still sinners— that is, until they passed from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant, which is exactly what is going to happen to you.

Today/Tonight our focus is the contrast between two figures, something the Bible does often.

For example, in the beginning, we have two trees. Adam and Eve have two sons. There’s the practice of the wise verses the practice of the foolish, of entering the narrow gate and not the wide gate, and practicing deeds of the Spirit instead of deeds of the flesh. There are sheep and goats, Old Man and New Man, light and darkness, death and resurrection, just to name a few. And when you jump to the Last Day, there are two eternal destinations— Heaven and Hell.

So, contrasting truths is very common in the Bible.

We begin our Lenten journey with Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She’s not named in Mark’s Gospel account, but she is in John. Mary is contrasted with Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ Twelve closet, who when the disciples are listed out in the Bible,

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Judas is always listed last. And when you contrast anybody with Judas, you already know where this is going…

Jesus, His disciples, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, who had just been recently raised from the dead are all at the dinner party of a man known as Simon the Leper, who obviously, was not a leper anymore. Apparently our Lord healed him some time before. The sun had set, meaning the Sabbath is over and Simon the leaper throws a dinner party. Because the next day is what we call Palm Sunday. And Jesus, He will be dead and in a tomb in less than a week.

Sometime, during the meal, Mary, the same one who earlier sat at Jesus’ feet, clinging to His every word, approaches Jesus, breaks open a delicate alabaster vial of expensive, scented perfume, and pours it—all of it—upon Jesus.

From what we know, she says nothing. No prayers were made, no praises rang out, she offers not one word of thanks. But her decision to do this, her every action, and every one of her tears, was devotion.

Along with this devotion, was purpose—the purpose of preparing Jesus for His approaching death and burial. This is stated in all three parallel accounts (Matt 26:12, Mk 14:8, Jn 12:7). Mary does not prevent Jesus from dying—like Peter did. Nor does she try to talk Jesus out of dying—like the Devil did. Mary believes, as painful as it, what Jesus had been teaching. Of which He’s been doing more frequently and urgently as the Passover approached. Mary understood the importance of His death, so she acted on it, regardless of the scorn, the ridicule, and the indignation

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she was about to receive. Isn’t this what faith is? Isn’t this what faith does? I mean, none of us were with Jesus during Holy Week. But we know that Jesus came into Jerusalem with the shouts of Hosannas, and we know Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane. We know Jesus stood before Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate, and we know Jesus hung on the cross, suffered and died for the sins of the world.

Furthermore, we know that Jesus Christ rose triumphantly making Him the firstborn of the dead (Col. 1:18, Rev. 1:5). This means if we view this life—this life of darkness, like being in the womb, and eternal life as being just on the other side. Where Jesus, our Head goes—the body goes too.

We know these things for the same reason Mary knew them. God said it and we believe it, all because the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, and that’s where we rest and we rejoice. And if this leads us to some show of devotion… no matter how elaborate it might be, then so be it.

Well, everyone at the dinner party saw what took place, and if they didn’t see it, they could certainly smell it. The smell filled the house. One person, in particular, objected to Mary’s costly devotion. Judas. He thought it irresponsible. Because, as he said, the perfume could have been sold, proceeds given to the poor— which is true!—very logical, spiritual even… but not genuine.

Judas kept the moneybag. He tabulated the books. But Judas had sticky fingers helping himself to the money from time to time. And having 300 denarii in the coffers— almost an entire year’s wage…what a lost opportunity!

But Judas wasn’t the only one. Others joined in with him.

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Jesus knows the truth, and He jumps to Mary’s defense, telling everyone to pipe down and explaining why she did it.

Her gift, so lovingly and lavishly given, anticipated Jesus’ gift, a gift even more lavishly given—His own body given into death. And hearing this triggers Judas’ response, who goes out and cuts a deal with those plotting to destroy Jesus for thirty pieces of silver— (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:36) far less than what Mary poured on Jesus’ head.

Now just imagine the powerful sermons Judas heard—the great miracles he witnessed. He saw Jesus cast out demons, control weather, walk on water, heal lepers, restore cripples, even raise the dead. When Jesus miraculously fed thousands, Judas not only served food but gathered up leftovers.

In the beginning, Judas must have been sincere in his discipleship. Why else would he too leave everything, as the others had? Something changed; or at least, something previously in the background forcibly came to the forefront. But what? It’s hard to say. Some believe Judas grew disillusioned with Jesus; that Judas expected riches, not rags; status, not service; associating with society’s high brow and not the nobodies, the outcasts, and the misfits.

Others believe Judas just wanted a different type of Messiah; one who would oust the hated Romans, and restore Israel to prominence. As such, Judas had no use for a Messiah determined to die on a cross for the sins of the undeserving world—especially, not for Gentiles.

We just don’t know for sure. However, if we follow the money, it seems, it all comes down to greed,

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not patriotism or nationalism or disillusionment—but common greed.

Thirty pieces of silver were more precious to Judas than the blood of Jesus Christ. And tragically, in the end, where did that money— of which Judas had no intention to give to the poor—where did it lead him? To a noose, and a cliff and a jump. To be buried in a field, purchased with those same thirty coins.

Now as I conclude, please don’t think, “I got this pastor…Mary is the saint and Judas is the sinner.” No—we are both Mary and Judas, devoted to Him one moment and betraying Him the next. Offering Him our very best in worship, then walking out of church to betray Him, for considerably less than thirty pieces of silver. We are Mary. We are Judas.

And this is why the death of Jesus is so important. For we might find it easy to accept the notion that Jesus died for Mary, so wonderfully devoted to Him, honoring Him, pouring her life out for Him… God saves the devout, the religious ones like Mary or Simon the Leper even.

But we won’t begin to plumb the depths of God’s passion to save sinners until we recognize that He died for all… including Judas who betrayed Him. For both acts—Mary’s costly perfume, and Judas’ betrayal for thirty silver pieces set in motion the death of Jesus for your salvation, as well as the Death that swallowed up Death forever.

In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Standing…And now may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.1

1 I am indebted to Prs. Mark Weis and Bill Cwirla for their contribution to this sermon.