WASTE

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WASTE (Give credit to Watchman Nee for these principles)

Be thinking: What does Jesus mean to you?



This occurred at the home of Simon the Leper, in the town of Bethany, where Lazarus lived. Some think Lazarus was a relative of Simon.

A costly vial of perfume (a year’s wages) is poured on Jesus. Jesus said this story would always accompany the gospel, so there is something Jesus intends for us to understand.

Be thinking about that as we read: Matt 26: 6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12: 1-8

What do you think Jesus intends for us to understand?
(he wants people to waste themselves on him)

The immediate reaction of Judas is that it could have been sold and money given to the poor.

The word we want to focus on is: Waste.

Waste simply means giving too much.

If you eat a $5 meal and leave a $5 tip, it is a waste.

Waste means you give too much for what you get back.
Parents get angry when they invest their lives in their kids and get nothing back.
When you lose your quarter in the machine, you say “what a waste.”
“waste” means what you are receiving is not worth as much as you give.

Now let’s look at the disciples reaction: Judas led the attack.

Remember Judas had never accepted Jesus as Lord of his life.
To Judas, anything poured out, even water, would have been a waste.

Judas represents the world. He wanted to channel money into social programs. I have nothing against good social programs, but let’s keep our priorities straight.

If you do expend any energy on spiritual things, the world considers it a total waste. “You go to church every Sunday? …Wednesday night???”

Have you ever heard this one: “It’s too bad that man is a preacher…he would have been a real success in the business world.”

The fact is, if the Lord is worthy, then how can it be a waste?

He is worthy to be served.
He is worthy to be worshiped.
Worthy is the lamb!

Jesus replied…”don’t bother her”

So let’s not be bothered by the world.

When our eyes have been opened to how worthy Jesus is, then nothing is too good for him.
What about the other disciples?
We don’t mind too much what the world says, but we do care what our fellow Christians say.

The other disciples joined in the chorus. They didn’t understand what she was doing either. “This could have been sold and given to the poor.”

But Jesus approved of Mary wasting all she had on him.

It is important to use our talents for worthwhile activities, but has Jesus been satisfied? It is not a question of whether the poor have been helped or not. We’ll take care of the widows and orphans, but Jesus comes first. Remember what Elijah said to the widow” Feed me first.

Our service to the Lord is not to be measured by tangible results!!

The Lord’s first concern is with our position at his feet and our anointing of his head.

What did Jesus say about what Mary did? (Mark 14:8)
“She did what she could”

What exactly did she do?

She wasted her all. That’s all he wants! He wants you to pour all you have on the alter of God. God will never be satisfied without our wasting ourselves on him.

The principle of waste is the principle of power.

What is your position at the feet of Jesus?
Are you kneeling, pouring yourself out, or standing, pointing out to God where he can use you?

If we are standing, then the danger is that we will be destroyed by spiritual pride.

Let’s talk about waste from a different angle:

Did you ever find your ministry in the church put on the shelf?

God dares to put his greatest ambassadors behind bars (why?)

God has every right to suspend our ministry, in order to discover whether we are captivated by the ministry, or captivated by Jesus.

The apostle Paul could have prayed from prison …”Oh God, use me again as you did in times past.”

What was his attitude” “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…”

Back to the story…What brought this whole issue to the attention of the disciples? (the fragrance)

John 12:3 It filled the house.

When you meet someone who is wasting themselves on Jesus, there is a fragrance about their life.

The fragrance of Mary is in the church today. Not what we do, but what we are.

Those who have the fragrance of Mary create a hunger in others to know Christ. (2 Cor 2: 15-16)

Let’s pray that our lives would have the fragrance of Mary.