Audio Messages:
Pastor Wade Burleson

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When Jesus Comes Calling
"Let Go of the Bag Before It's Too Late"

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John 12:1-6 (KJV)

1. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

About a week before His crucifixion, Jesus came to a little town outside Jerusalem called Bethany. We do not know if He came unannounced, but we know he shared a meal with His followers from Bethany. There are five people in this text who had five different responses to Jesus when He came calling. This morning we have corporately met Jesus in a similar fashion. I think you might find yourself in one or more of these five individuals.

1. SIMON SHARED his possessions - "supper was in the house of Simon the leper" (Matthew 26:6).
   Not much is known about Simon except he was from Bethany and he was "a leper." It is more than likely that Simon had experienced the healing touch of Jesus. He is not mentioned in our text, but in a parallel account. This quiet, unnoticed individual had a house. It seems to be a large house. He opened it for Jesus and His followers. This response to the Christ's presence is honoring to the Lord. You may not be able to teach or serve, but your gifts and contributions are vital for the kingdom's work.
2. LAZARUS SAT at the table - "but Lazarus was one that sat at the table with him" (v.2).
   There is no reason for Lazarus to sit at the table eating and drinking with Christ. Just days earlier he had been dead. His new life was due solely to the power of Christ. As the supper is being served we have it said of Lazarus, "he sat." Sometimes when a person's life has been drastically turned around by the power of God it is good just to sit and learn. For some of you this morning it is an absolute miracle that you are even here. You can't offer much, you can't give much, but you can sit like Lazarus.
3. MARTHA SERVED the others - "They made him a supper and Martha served" (v.2).
   This was her characteristic method of showing her affection. On a former occasion the Lord had gently reproved her for being "cumbered with much serving" (Luke 10:40). Here Martha's service seems to be a joy, not a burden. What is the difference?
   1. Martha made him a supper (v.2) . . . service must be fore, and because of, Christ.
   2. Martha served in His presence . . . unlike Luke 10 where she was outside - alone.
   3. Martha served in appreciation . . . service is never for reward, but from gratitude.
4. MARY SOARED in her worship - "Mary anointed the feet of Jesus" (v.3).
   This alabaster box was worth a year's wages. She pours it on the feet of Jesus, and then wipes his feet with her hair. This was extravagant worship. Mary didn't care what others thought. She poured out her affection on Jesus. This is genuine worship. "And the house was filled with the odor of the ointment" (v.3). Worship spreads.
5. JUDAS SNEERED at the devotion - "Why was this ointment not sold for the poor?" (v.5).
   "This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because . . . he had the bag" (v.6). Jesus comes calling and Judas (1) pretends to care, and (2) condemns others . . .
   
   Jesus is calling today. Are you holding the bag? Let go of it before it is too late.

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