Nothings is too much for the Lord

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

PASSION WEEK – WEDNESDAY, 8^TH APRIL, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO HIS PEOPLE.

THEME: Nothings is too much for the Lord.

             (“Ko si ohun to poju fun Oluwa”)

TEXT: Mark 14:3-5.

“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He (Jesus) sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.”

It is obvious that Jesus’ heart was steadfastly set to do his Father’s will as he continued his journey to Jerusalem. This is the fourth day on his passion week journey and preparation for the ordeal of his trial and crucifixion, which was not yet clear to many, even his disciples, hence we see different responses of various people to the Lord Jesus Christ as they follow him during the days and hours of his last week on earth. One of the responses from Mary of Bethany to Christ’s last and passion journey is the focus of our message today.

Mary’s love for Jesus Christ, as seen in Mark 14:3-9, cannot be over-emphasized. Her love is demonstrated in her closeness to Jesus and her willingness to give anything and everything not minding the cost, to Jesus, her Lord and lover. St. Mark related this story to contrast the treachery of the Jewish leaders and Judas Iscariot with the love and loyalty of Mary who perhaps was the sister of Lazarus and Martha (Jn. 11:1& 2). The love of Mary for Jesus was related three times in the gospel, and such time, she is at the feet of Jesus (Lk. 10:38-42; Jn. 11:31-32, 12:1-8). Indeed, Mary is an example of a cheerful and generous giver, and a good role model for all believers to follow. Mary’s action hear should not in any way be confused with a similar event recorded in Luke 7:36-50 where a converted harlot also anointed the Lord as expression of her love and appreciation to Jesus Christ who had graciously forgiven her many sins.

In the house of Simon, the leper, who had been cleaned and healed, Mary expressed her own love to Christ who was going to cross to die, not only for her but for the whole world. She demonstrated her total love for Jesus Christ with a costly perfume while he was still alive. By anointing Jesus head (Mk. 14:3) and feet (Jn. 12:3), Mary was directly preparing his body for burial. It was an expensive offering that she gave to our Lord, because the cost of a flask of Spikenard oil has been said to be the equivalent of a common worker’s annual income. This woman was not stingy nor was she ashamed to show her love for Jesus Christ publicly. Infact, she give cheerfully, willingly, lovingly and lavishly. There are these three consequences to Mary’s sacrificial offering:

1.    There is always a spiritual fragrance in any home where Jesus Christ is loved and truly worshipped. This becomes clear from the story which stated that the beautiful fragrance of Mary’s ointment filled the house of Simon and everybody present was glad to perceive it. (Jn. 12:3, 11 Cor. 2:15-16).

2.    Jesus commended Mary and accepted her gracious gift and even defended her actions, because he knew heart and that what she did is not to please anyone (Rom. 8:33-39). But he shun Judas, and condemned and corrected his view Brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t bother yourself about what other people say about your worship, Christian giving or service, the most important thing is to be sure that you please God with your offering, worship and service. Whatever we do for the Lord or in God’s name should not be done to receive praises of human beings, but for the approval of God alone.

3.    Judas misled others, who were present at Simon’s house, to criticize Mary for wasting her money when in reality he wanted the money for himself (Jn. 12:4-6). The disciple who criticized Mary for wasting money later wasted his own life for love of money. His concern was never about the poor, rather he was greedy and selfish. He wanted everything for himself. He loved resources than the giver of all the resources. You may waste your money in the service of your God, but don’t waste your life for love of money.

 

When Mary gave her best to our Lord Jesus Christ, she became a source of blessing. She was a blessing to Jesus as she showered her love on him, a blessing to Mr. Simon’s house as the fragrance spread, and a blessing to her village – Bethany which was not forgotten even at the final journey of our Lord. Her act of giving was a blessing to the whole world till today. Mary gave her best in love and faith while Judas give his worst in unbelieve and hatred.

 

Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters in the household of faith, what do you have for the Lord this Easter season? How is your worship life at this time of lockdown? What have you done for your Lord since the place of worship was closed for the fear of COVID-19? Are you doing your service to please mortal beings or to satisfy your Maker? Do we even know that there are less privilege and poor people around us? Do we assume that we have done enough for the Lord and others? What is it that you have done and thought it is too much for the Lord? Brethren, know this; the first thing you can ever give to God is yourself (11 Cor. 8:5). Give yourself to God and you will never find it difficult to give him anything else out of what he has given to you (YMHB 781). Do we even believe that all what we have are from God? If we know, what then do we think that is too big to give to him. For what he has done for us. Frances Ridley Havergal (1936-79), the writer of 391 (MHB) says in stanza 1:

 

 

 Thy life was given for me,

 Thy blood, O Lord was shed,

 That I might ransomed be,

 And quickened from the dead;

 Thy life was given for me;

 What have I given for thee?

 

My dear people of God, what have you given to the Lord for all he did for you? I urge everyone of us to give our life, love, wealth and our all to God. Nothing is too much for the Lord (11 cor. 9:7-11).

 

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

Chairman OS-CAN.