Join us as Pastor Ben challenges us to ask ourselves: Do I give generously to God out of the overflow of my gratitude? Or am I more like Judas and the religious people who Jesus condemned? Am I trying to seem spiritual when there really isn’t anything coming out of my heart? Which camp do you fall into?

May 5, 2024

John 11:45-12:11

“The Overflow of a Grateful Heart”

by Ben Caldwell

Please turn in your Bibles to John 11:45.

History: We have been in a study of the book of John for sometime now. This is an account of what happened during Jesus’ life. And John’s stated objective is that he wants us to see and understand what he saw, so that we might believe. That is found in John 20:31 which says: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Let’s read John 11:45 and following, prayerfully that God might bring you life:

John 11:45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Many of the Jewish people who saw Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead began to believe the things that Jesus was teaching. That seems a little strange to me. If you saw Jesus bring a loved one back to life, it seems like that would be enough to make you believe, but I guess you could be a skeptic. You could be thinking… “maybe he faked it.” Or maybe you think, “No way. No way. There is no way that a dead guy in the grave for four days came back to life!” Sopresumably some of the skeptics go and tell the religious leaders. The Sanhedrin, mentioned in verse 47 is a Jewish ruling council composed of two groups. One group was the Pharisees and the other was the Sadducees. Describing the two groups, one scholar writes, “The Pharisees were not a political party at all; their sole interest was in living according to every detail of the law; and they cared not who governed them so long as they were allowed to continue in meticulous obedience to the law. On the other hand, the Sadducees were intensely political. They were the wealthy and aristocratic party. They were also the collaborationist party. So long as they were allowed to retain their wealth, comfort, and position of authority, they were well content to collaborate with the Romans” (Barclay, The Gospel of John Volume 2, p. 104).

This council, the Sanhedrin, is justifying their bad behavior by saying, if everyone starts following this Jesus, then we will lose our political power and that would be bad, because the Romans know us and approve of us. But they don’t know Jesus. What will they think if he takes power. They might come in and take all power away from OUR PEOPLE. Do you see how they are wrapping their own authority up in an argument that says, “As long as we stay in power, our people are safe.”

John 11:49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

This group of religious people has just rationalized killing an innocent man. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark! Corruption is afoot, my friends!

John 11:54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the Feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him. John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, who Jesus had raised from the dead.

Ok, so some time has elapsed since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but we aren’t told how much time. All we know is that 1. Jesus withdrew from public life. 2. The Passover is approaching. 3. The religious leaders are looking to kill Jesus.

4. And this is a week before Jesus’ crucifixion.

John 12:2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume, sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.

Doesn’t that sound spiritual! Judas says, “I can’t believe you are wasting so much money on something so trivial! You could have sold that perfume and used the money in a much more tangible way to help people.” And who would argue against that kind of logic? Christians are supposed to help people, right? But don’t be fooled. Jesus sees our hearts; he knows Mary’s heart and he knows Judas’.

John 12:6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Jesus defends Mary. He is saying this extravagant gift is ok, even appropriate, despite the fact that it isn’t going to help the hungry or homeless. It is preparation for Jesus’ death and burial.

John 12:9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

So now, these corrupt leaders are planning not just for ONE man to die; they have now rationalized why two innocent men should die. These leaders are corrupt. They will rationalize whatever they have to in order to keep their power and status.

The outline that I am using today was developed by a pastor named Gary Hamrick. What I like about his outline is: 1. its memorable and 2. it comes straight out of the passage. I just want to be sure that I site my source.

In Matthew’s account of these events we find out that this is happening at Simon the Leper’s home (Matthew 26:6-13). Simon the Leper presumably does not have leprosy anymore. And some scholars believe that Simon is the man that Jesus healed in Matthew 8:1-4. If that is right, then here we are in the house of Simon the used-to-be-but-now-healed Leper. And I imagine that everyone at this party is thankful for what God has done for them. Hamrick says, “Can you imagine the conversation between Simon the Leper and Lazarus? I had Leprosy. My fingers had lost all feeling and had gotten infected and were falling off. And Jesus healed me! Now I can feel again!!!” And Lazarus, “Man… that’s nothing! I was dead! I was with God the Father, and all of a sudden, I got yanked back here!” I imagine they are both very grateful.

The reason, I want to talk about their gratitude is because it has been said: “worship happens out of the overflow of a grateful heart for who God is and what He’s done” (Gary Hamrick Ways to Worship | John 12 | Gary Hamrick (youtube.com))

So this house full of dinner guests are worshipful. They are praising God. They are a grateful group. And look at what we are taught about each of them:

Worship God: 1. Serve

First there is Martha. And all the passage says about her is that she served. We see that in verse 2. And we don’t really see anything else. But if we compare this passage to Luke 10, which happens earlier in Jesus’ ministry. On that occasion, Martha was the hostess, and she opened her home to Jesus and his followers. She was busy getting everything together. When she realizes that her sister Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet, she,in true Type A fashion, Marches over to Jesus and has a big confrontation. “Jesus, don’t you think my sister Mary should be helping me? Tell her I need some help. Jesus, come on Jesus! Back me up!” And Jesus basically tells her no. He says, “Mary has chosen what is better and that won’t be taken from her.” In that case Martha is serving but also trying to control her sister’s relationship with Christ… which is not appropriate. In this morning’s passage, she is just serving. And serving out of gratitude seems like the right motivation for her service and for our service.

Matthew 23:11–12 “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

In God’s economy, being grateful to Jesus for the work He has done in your life and serving as a result is a beautiful thing. Romans 12:1 indicates that kind of service is an act of worship.

I guess we have probably all used the drive-through window at Chick-fil-a. You know the drill. You pull up to the double line of traffic at the drive through, and a group of young men and women are standing outside waiting to take your order. You tell them what you want, pay, and when you say “Thanks for your help.” They respond (hand to ear) “My pleasure.” Well, on one particularly hot day. I think the temperature was in the high nineties.  I drove up to the drive through, and things were moving slowly. The humidity was also like 90% and these young men and women were working hard to serve the customers, but they are also dripping with sweat. At the end of my order, I said thanks. And the young lady helping me said, “My pleasure.” But then the line didn’t move. I am sitting still. So I comment, “On a day like today, it doesn’t seem like much of pleasure.” And she says, “It really isn’t.” The line moves, and so I pull forward.

Describing a similar experience, Author David Egnerwrites, “I began to ask myself if I live like that. Do I greet people with a bright smile and pretend that I am serving God enthusiastically, even though there is no joy in my heart? Some of us are masters at wearing a mask of joy when we are actually serving the Lord grudgingly out of a sense of duty. The Bible tells us to do everything “heartily, as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23), and to serve Him “with gladness” (Ps. 100:2). If there is no joy in our lives, let’s ask Him to search our hearts, to forgive our sin, and to restore our joy (Ps. 51:12).  Serve Joyfully | Our Daily Bread (odb.org)

What does your service to God look like? Are you serving Him? More importantly, when you serve Him, are you giving him your time and energy out of a sense of gratitude and with joy? Or are you hoping to use your service as leverage to try and get something from Him? Isn’t that exactly what Judas was doing? Search your heart. Only you can speak for you.

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The Next example we have is Lazarus. The scripture simply says that at this appreciation banquet, Lazarus was reclining at the table with Jesus. Lazarus Sat.

Worship God: 2. Sit

In my own life, I think I underplay the importance of this point, as simple as it is. We all need some time in our lives when we just make ourselves… “be still and know that” He is “God” (according to Psalm 46:10). This idea of getting rest is completely foreign to our thinking here in the U.S.  We are all about getting things done.  We have cell phones, so we can take calls wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.  We have video conferences, so we don’t have to waste time traveling.  We have electronic calendars on our phones and in our pockets, so we won’t ever forget to do something we need done.  And we have email and instant messages, because letters and regular messages slow us down. We are people who mass produce.  We stay up late and get up early.  We stream-line processes, and plan agendas for our vacations.  Have you ever been on a vacation that was so busy, when you got home you were exhausted?  Me too!  God knows we are not good at resting! Honestly, most of usaren’t going to rest, unless He commands us to.  GOD’S WORD TO US IS:  STOP.  Be still.  Take a day to refresh.  He commands us to have a Sabbath day, so that we will be healthier people.

And God is serious about this command.  Listen to Exodus 31:14-17.

EX 31:14 " `Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. 15 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.' "

Wait, God wants to have us put to death, if we don’t observe the Sabbath?!?  Isn’t that a little harsh? Maybe… stick with me on this for a minute.  When my kids were little and they were tired, they would start to get grouchy. And I say, “Wow, someone needs a nap.”  My kid then responds, “No I don’t!  I’m not sleepy.”  And their head drops into their mash potatoes.  You ever seen this kind of thing happen?  Well we adults are not so different. When God says, “You need a day of rest,” we are going to refuse.  So God commands it:  OBSERVE A DAY OF REST.  It will be a sign that you and I are communing together.

You may argue, Ben, if my kids are tired and need rest, and they refuse to take a nap, I don’t put them to death for it! Good: Parenting 101! Let me try to address the death… thing.  In Luke chapters 13 and 14 Jesus indicates if your child or an animal falls into a pit or a well, then its ok to pull them out.  He is saying, it is ok to heal people on the Sabbath.  It is ok in the case of an emergency to handle your problems. God understands: sometimes you just can’t take a day of rest. He doesn’t want you killed!  A desecration of the Sabbath means, you’ve consciously and willfully decided you just are not going to obey this command.  You just aren’t going to do it.  In that situation, God says, “Now, you and I have a problem.” And the reason capital punishment is prescribed here is because God was setting up his own government for His special people. Since we aren’t under this system of government, we don’t kill anyone for refusing the Sabbath day. In Mark, the Pharisees are arguing for a very ridged observance of the Sabbath. But if you want to apply the spirit of the law without the letter of the law. It would be this:

MK 2:27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.  BOTTOM LINE IS WE NEED REST.  WE NEED A DAY OF Holy REFLECTION. Once a week, we should just SIT with Jesus… Like Lazarus.

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The third person we see is Mary, and out of her gratitude, she sacrifices.

Worship God: 3. Sacrifice

Mary brings this perfume, a pint of pure nard worth a year’s wages. As I was studying this passage, every pastor and scholar talked about what an extravagant gift this is. Think about your annual salary, whatever that is. Have you ever given that amount of money to anything? I mean… I’m buying a house, so I’m giving more than that to the mortgage company. But I am getting something out of the deal. It isn’t a selfless gift that I am giving to God out of gratitude. Most of us couldn’t afford to give something that cost us a year’s wages, at least not our own annual salary.

We tend to give God gifts out of our overflow… out of our abundance. You make 100,000 a year, so you’re glad to throw $20 in the offering plate. Or you have a little spare change in your pocket, it’s the least you can give to the God who was willing to die for you. I know there are probably people here who are thinking, “I knew it! I knew it! Pastors and churches just want your money!” But I want you to hear this loudly and clearly… the issue on the table isn’t your finances. The issue on the table is your spiritual health. Listen to these verses of scripture:

In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus is preaching and in part of the sermon he says:

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Jesus’ conclusion is: You can’t serve both God and money. Which is it for you?

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

In the Bible, we see that God wants us to tithe, which means giving 10% of everything we get. That money is to go to serve the work that God is doing in this world. And then He wants us to give other gifts or offerings on top of that. Why? Because money and the financial troubles and aspirations of this world get in the way of us having pure hearts spiritually. God loves a cheerful giver.

I’ve got a friend who is an accountant. She served on staff at a Big church not too far from here. She is that person who sees what everyone gives and is sworn to secrecy. She tells me, “You’d be surprised who gives and who doesn’t.” So let me say, not to the casual attender, but to you who are leaders in this church. My expectation is that we who are in leadership should be setting the example. We should give gladly, and willingly like Mary because we are grateful to God.

As John is recounting this event, he talks about how her gift filled the house with this wonderful aroma. Our gifts to God should be a pleasing aroma to HIM. We love to give God our garbage though, don’t we? I’m getting rid of my couch, maybe the youth ministry could benefit from what I would throw away. Instead of thinking, God deserves the very best. So I’ll hold on to my old couch a little longer and I’ll pay to give God the new couch. Do you see what I’m saying. These things are acts of worship. Whether we are giving God our SERVICE, OUR REST, OR OUR SACRIFICE. Shouldn’t God get our best instead of our leftovers?

So the question I am challenging you to ask is: Do I give generously to God out of the overflow of my gratitude? Or am I more like Judas and the religious people who Jesus condemned? Am I trying to seem spiritual when there really isn’t anything coming out of my heart? Which camp do you fall into?