An Extravagant Love

John 12:1-8

Scripture.  Choose the passage.  Have a plan, don’t make it a random passage in the Bible.

Observation.  What does the passage say?  What is difficult to understand?  What does it say to me?

Application.  How do I apply these verses?  Is there something to give God thanks for?  Is there is a sin to avoid?

Prayer.  Simply end your time with God talking with Him.

 

SCRIPTURE .  John 12:1-8.  Look it up in your Bible, on a Bible app or on Biblegateway.com or Biblehub.com.

The same Mary we saw in the events of Lazarus is front and center here too.  Mary expresses her love for Jesus here in an extravagant way.  Her love for her Savior is so deep it crashes through social norms.  Her expression is costly. Her love for her Savior is an intense act of personal worship and sacrifice.

 

OBSERVATION. Think about what the verse says.  What instruction does it give?   If you have a journal or notebook, write down some thoughts.

Who is at this dinner?

When does it take place?

What does Mary do?

Why do you think she does this?

How much does it cost?

What is the reaction of Judas?  What was his motivation?

 

Mary’s love for Jesus goes deeper than Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  She loved Jesus as her Savior.  Her love for Him was not inhibited by what others’ thought.  She raced right by caring what others’ thought.  She was not going to miss this opportunity to worship her king!  Nothing in her life matched her love for Jesus.

 

APPLICATION

S  Is there a sin for me to confess?

P. is there a promise for me to claim?

A.  Is there an attitude for me to change?

C.  Is there a command for me to obey?

E. Is there an example for me to follow?

What do you love and worship the most?  If your love for Jesus is limited because you are afraid of what others’ might think, does that mean you love what others’ think of you more than Jesus?  Mary was passionate about Jesus and it cost her.  God calls you to love Him with a passionate love.  Confess to Him anything that has kept you from loving Him with everything you have.  Ask Him to help you love Him with this crazy abandon that Mary demonstrated.

 

PRAYER. Take a few moments to really talk to God.  Use CHAT to help you guide your prayer time.  But most of all, be real with God.  Talk to Him.

 

Confess

True confession is agreeing with God about your sin.  It includes repentance, doing a 180 from your sin.  Repentance is not just being sorry for being caught, but sorry for breaking the heart of God.  Examine your heart. Admit your faults.  Be teachable.

Honor

Honor God by praising Him for who He is.  You can do this by reading verse of praise or singing a song to God.

Ask

Ask God for your needs.  Praying for your own needs, both daily and crisis needs.  Also, pray for the needs of others.  Be specific!

Thank

Express gratitude for God has done!  Write it down so you can remember how God has answered your prayers!

 

 

Pray.  Remember, just talk to God.  Look at the ingredients above.  Not every prayer has to include all the ingredients.  Just remember, be honest.  Don’t try to sound religious or churchy.  Just be real as you talk to God.