AN EXPENSIVE GIFT FOR JESUS
Matthew 26:6-13
Introduction: Taylor (at age 4) was asked what he was going to get his mother for her birthday—"something ‘spensive." Jeana’ gives nice gifts so he thought she deserved something ‘spensive.
A. Whenever we consider what Jesus gave for us (His life), then we should give Him something expensive (really matters).
B. The expense can be relative (Widow’s mite in Lk 21:1-4).
I. Text Depicts A Beautiful Story (Also John 12 & Mark 14).
A. Jesus in Bethany at the house of Simon, a Leper (horrible disease). He is cured eventually by Jesus.
1. A friend or kin of Lazarus.
B. A woman came to Him (Mary, sister of Lazarus—John 12:1-3).
1. Anointed His head with a very expensive ointment or perfume.
2. His disciples were critical of this and considered it a waste.
3. It was true that this amount would have fed many of the poor, hungry people of that area.
4. Yet, Jesus defended her (vv. 10-13).
C. Anointing the body for burial was a custom to help with the odor of a decaying body.
This signified His impending death. She was preparing Jesus for this event which was at hand.1.
D. Her act is remembered today as a great act of love (v. 13).
II. Her expensive gift was a tremendous example for us.
A. Her sacrifice. How many of us could or would give 11 months salary at one time or one gift?
B. Her attitude behind the gift. She love the Redeemer and His great forgiveness of her sins (John 12).
III. What Gifts Do We Have For The Lord Today?
A. A surrendered Life? (Romans 12:1,2; II Cor. 8:1-5; Matt. 5:16; Matt. 6:33)
B. Our Service? (Gal. 6:7-10).
C. Our Money? Ps. 24:1 "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof."
1. GOD is the owner and we are the stewards.
2. When we die, our earthly possessions will belong to someone else. Only our deeds in the body go with us to the judgment.
D. Whatever we give is small indeed when compared to what we have received (Lk. 6:38).
1. We can never outgive the Lord (Malachi 3:6-12).
2. Example of this:
A life of service is rewarded with eternal life in Heaven.(a)
(b) Confession of faith (Matt. 10:32).
(c) Great compensation for anything we may have to give up here (Matt. 19:28,29).
IV. The Lord Offers Us A Gift Today That We Can Not Buy.
A. Eternal life in return for a life of obedient service.
B. He will mold us into a vessel of service if we will submit to Him.
Give Him your greatest gift—Yourself!!1.
2. Obey the Lord today and receive His blessings. Matt. 11:28-30).
Robert L. Brown
Great Oaks Church of Christ