“There is no limit to God’s love, for He loved us first. Such a One loves us so much and so freely, insignificant
as we are and such as we are, that we must love God in return without any limit. Love offered to God has for
its object the One who is immeasurable and infinite – what then, I ask, should be the degree of our love?
What about the fact that our love to God is not given gratuitously but rather in payment of a debt we owe
Him? God, whose greatness knows no end, to whose wisdom there is no limit, whose peace exceeds all
understanding, loves us – and yet we dare to think we can requite Him with some limited measure of love?
The measure of love due to Him is immeasurable love. This is the claim that God the holy, the supreme,
the omnipotent, has upon us.” Quote by Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153; excerpt taken from “On Loving
God.”
I. The Anointing at Bethany (also see Matthew 26:6-13).
“Before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was…whom He had raised from the dead. There they made
Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound
of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with
the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ‘Why was this
fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but
because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone;
she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
(John 12:1-8)
“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you
always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could.
She has come before hand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the
whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mark 14: 6-9)
A. The context.
1. Jesus is in a time of transition. Just before going to Bethany,
“He (Jesus) said to His disciples, ‘You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up
to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2
2. Mary is on a personal journey of spiritual intimacy. Previous to this event, Mary had demonstrated her resolve to
hear (to treasure) His words.
“A certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’
feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord do You
not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her,
‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that
good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
3. The Holy Spirit is preparing the Church for Jesus’ coming. We are in a transitional generation. There is prophetic
significance from this story, especially in light of the prophetic words from the Lord Himself about the days in which we live.
a. Mat 24:12 – “the love of many will grow cold.” (talking with His disciples about the signs of the times at the
end of the age)
b. Rev 2:4 – the loveless church, “you have left your first love.”
c. Rev 2:14 and 2:20 the compromising church and the corrupt church, teaching & practicing a doctrine of
tolerance for idolatry and immorality – a perverted love.
d. Rev 3:1 – the dead church, “you have a name that you’re alive, but you are dead.”
e. Rev 3:15 – the lukewarm church, “you are neither cold nor hot…because you are lukewarm, and neither
cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
B. The result.
1. The house was filled with the fragrance of her worship. The “wasted” aroma annoyed some, but it delighted Jesus
and he defended and honored Mary for it.
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in
every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are
perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death…to the other the aroma of life.” (2Corinthians 2:14-16).
2. Jesus was anointed beforehand with a gift of love for His burial because Mary had a history of attentiveness to His voice.
Jesus said Mary had done what she could beforehand, therefore He went to the cross reveling in Mary’s heart response.
“I… pray… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the
world may believe that You sent Me…that they may be one just as We are one. I in them, and You in Me; that they may
be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You… have loved them as You have loved Me…that the love
with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)
C. The responses.
1. From the critics – they were indignant and criticized Mary sharply. They tried to force their opinions on her (to
trouble her). This is a picture of the rage that will be directed toward those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul,
mind, and strength at the end of the age.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
(Mark 12:30)
2. From Jesus – Mary is affirmed and memorialized. God looks on the responsiveness of our hearts to Him. Jesus
rebukes the critics because their hearts are dull and hardened by pride and deception. This is a picture of the Kingdom
privileges and benefits Jesus will grant to those whose hearts are loyal to Him.
“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart
is loyal to Him.” (2Chronicles 16:9)
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter
into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
II. Mary is a picture of heart qualities the Church will possess before the Lord’s return to earth.
A. In the last days, the Church will be marked by a life of worship (joyful, fervent love) and prayer (intercession and fasting).
1. Mary is developing wholehearted devotion and a history of saying “Yes” to God. This will be a core value of the Church
at the end of the age, even when the world calls it fanatical and out of balance. We are assured that when our hearts and
motives are pure, the Lord sees what we do for what it is and He delights in it, regardless of how it may be viewed by
others.
“My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me; he who walks in a perfect (blameless) way, he
shall serve (minister to) Me.” (Psalm 101:6)
2. Mary’s sacrificial response had no ambiguity. Love for Christ will always find a way to express itself through actions
because words alone are never enough. The cost of our love for Jesus is not to be counted. Passion for Jesus is ignited
and we are looking within to see what alabaster jar we have to pour-out on Jesus.
“Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1John 3:18)
3. Mary is a picture of abiding in Jesus. The Church will run the race with endurance and with enjoyment because
we will be running in partnership (in unity) with Jesus. This kind of commitment will drastically change our lifestyles – the
forms of entertainment we enjoy, the way we handle our finances, how we use our time and talents, etc.
“Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
B. In the last days, the Church will be marked by a life of radical obedience.
1. Mary had no regard for the cost. Her response was extravagant and grateful. Love for Christ always stirs-up giving
because love and sacrifice go hand-in-hand. The Church will be marked by a spirit of generosity, using resources to
advance and build God’s Kingdom, like King David who declined an offer of free materials to use for burnt offerings to God.
“Then the king (David) said to Araunah, ‘No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to
the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” (2Samuel 24:24)
2. Mary had no regard to the criticism from others. The Church will be marked by joy in serving Jesus with no thought
to self and with no fear of what others might think, like King David who was mocked and despised by his wife (Michal)
for his response to God.
“I will be even more undignified than this and humble in my own sight.” (2Samuel 6:22)
3. Mary had no regard to the inconvenience or difficulties caused by obedience. There is a confident trust in Jesus’
leadership. The things of this life are filtered through the grid of the superior pleasures of His love. The Church will be
marked by a joyful steadfastness during trails and tribulations because we are united with Him.
“If you keep (obey) My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and
abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
(John 15:10-11)
C. In the last days, the Church will be marked by a forerunner lifestyle.
1. Mary took action on what she heard Jesus say. The Holy Spirit will give the Church prophetic revelation and
grace to partner with His activity in this time of transition, but we must fix our hearts on Him and stay responsive to Him.
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those…who understand shall instruct
many.” (Daniel 11:32)
2. Mary had a spiritual intensity upon her life. She chose to go contrary to her flesh and the world. The Church will
be marked by purity and a spiritual violence (enmity) towards the spirit of the age. We will be uncontrolled by possessions
or money or worldly values. “Spiritual violence means holy spiritual intensity.” (Allen Hood)
“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes
himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4-5)
3. Mary was given spiritual authority. The memorial to Mary speaks of governmental authority that comes from the
place of intercession with Christ. The Church will be marked by authentic spiritual power because there will be genuine
unity and our love and faith will be mature. “How we handle money determines our spiritual authority.” (Allen Hood)
“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true (spiritual)riches?”
(Luke 16:11)
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing
in His sight.” (1John 3:22)
III. A call to unite the generations to “waste” the alabaster jars of their lives on the Lord.
A. This is a time of transition in human history, therefore we cannot go about our lives in an ordinary fashion. It must
impact the way we live and relate to each other. Knowing we are approaching the end of the age, let’s turn (open) our
hearts to each other and unite in response to God.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet (forerunner) before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And
he will turn (unlock) the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
B. Fight the temptation to “coast” during this season of your life. Guard your hearts from dullness and offense.
This is a call to humble ourselves and serve this youth movement together as the understanding and expression of
Christianity changes in a generation.
“Through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in
diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:10)
This is a call to go deep in the IHOP core values: I = intercession, H = holiness, O = offerings to the poor, P = prevailing
faith for prophetic intervention. These standards will equip your heart for the coming events, when deception and
depravity are full-blown.
C. Waste your life on Jesus to draw the world’s attention to Him and to prepare the earth for His return. Abandon
yourself to Him, living a life of unbounded love – unbounded by time, tradition, fear of man, paradigms of church, worldly
wisdom, what you can afford, etc.
Lavishly pour out your life to serve Him. Allow yourself to broken and spilled out for Him like an alabaster jar of costly,
fragrant oil. None of us has an option when it comes to whether or not our lives will be wasted. The only option we have
is how we will waste them.
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)