Picture this: the streets of Jerusalem, filled with palpable excitement as Jesus enters the city on a donkey. The crowds wave palm branches, their voices echoing with shouts of “Hosanna!” It’s a scene of celebration and worship that we remember and reenact each Palm Sunday. But a more profound message speaks to our lives today amidst the joy and rejoicing. As we explore the stories of Jesus’ triumphal entry and the woman who anointed him with perfume, we’ll uncover the invitation to live a life of devotion, sacrifice, and love. So, I invite you to open your hearts and minds to the transformative power of these ancient texts and discover how they can guide us on our spiritual journey.
The scripture passages we will discuss today are part of a larger biblical narrative that points to Jesus. These texts may be ancient, but they are still alive and active today. The Holy Spirit communicates with us through them, and I hope you can sense God’s presence while exploring them together. Before diving into today’s passages, let’s take a moment to reflect on the scriptures we’ve covered in the past few weeks, as they provide valuable context for our current exploration.
Two weeks ago, we delved into Mark 12:28-44, where Jesus emphasized the greatest commandments: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves. He also commended the poor widow who gave all she had, demonstrating true devotion and sacrifice. Last week, we examined Mark 13:1-8, 24-37, in which Jesus prophesied the temple’s destruction and warned his disciples about their trials and tribulations. He urged them to remain vigilant and prepared for his return, emphasizing the importance of staying awake and alert in our spiritual lives.
Today, as we turn our attention to Mark 11 and 14, we see a common thread of devotion and sacrifice woven throughout these passages. In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah and demonstrating his humility and role as the Messiah. The people celebrate his arrival, shouting “Hosanna!” and laying their cloaks and palm branches before him. Similarly, in Mark 14, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, an act of extravagant love and devotion. Despite criticism from some present, Jesus defends her actions, stating that she has done a beautiful thing and that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
To fully appreciate the significance of these passages, it’s essential to understand the historical and cultural context in which they were written. The Gospel of Mark believed to be the earliest of the four Gospels, was likely written around 70 AD, during a time of great upheaval for the Jewish people. The Romans had destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and Christians faced persecution for their beliefs. In this context, Mark’s Gospel aimed to encourage and strengthen the faith of the early Christian community.
People were grappling with the challenges of living under Roman rule while trying to maintain their religious beliefs and practices. The Jewish people longed for a Messiah who would liberate them from oppression and establish God’s kingdom on earth. The placement of our scripture passages for today within the Gospel highlights Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and the nature of his mission.
In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This act demonstrates his humility and his role as the long-awaited King who comes in peace. The people’s shouts of “Hosanna!” and the laying of cloaks and branches suggest their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, although they may not fully understand the nature of his kingdom. Mark 14:3-9, which occurs just before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, presents a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. This act of devotion and sacrifice foreshadows Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus affirms the woman’s actions, stating that her actions will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached, emphasizing the significance of sacrificial love and devotion in the life of a believer.
These passages work in harmony with the Bible’s overarching themes, such as God’s love, redemption, and establishing God’s kingdom. They also showcase Mark’s vivid storytelling style, using narrative to convey profound theological truths. The primary themes in these passages include humility, sacrificial love, and the nature of Jesus’ messianic role. As we explore these passages, we are challenged to consider our response to Jesus. Will we recognize him as our King and Savior like the crowds in Jerusalem? And will we, like the woman with the alabaster jar, offer our most precious gifts in devotion to him? Engaging with these stories can deepen our understanding of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and how they impact our lives today.
We often face daily choices that challenge our priorities, values, and devotion. The stories of scripture offer valuable guidance on navigating these moments and living in a way that honors God and reflects Jesus’ teachings. The people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” and laid their cloaks and branches before him recognized his importance and chose to celebrate his arrival. We, too, can prioritize our relationship with Jesus, making him the center of our lives and giving him the honor and respect he deserves. This might mean setting aside time daily for prayer and Bible study or making faithful choices, even when complicated.
The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume chose to offer her most precious possession as an act of love and devotion. Her actions remind us that true worship involves giving our best to God, whether our time, talents, or resources. We can ask ourselves, “What is my ‘alabaster jar’? What can I offer Jesus as an act of love and gratitude?” Moreover, some criticized the woman’s actions, thinking the perfume should have been sold to help the poor. Jesus, however, affirmed her choice, recognizing the beauty and significance of her sacrifice. This challenges us to consider how we respond to the needs of others while also maintaining our devotion to Christ. We can strive to find a balance between acts of worship and acts of service, knowing that both are essential aspects of our faith.
Ask yourself in our daily decisions and interactions, “How can I honor Jesus in this moment? How can I demonstrate my love and devotion to him through my actions and choices?” By remembering these stories, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ and live in a way that reflects his love and grace to those around us. The good news is that Jesus invites us to live a life of purposeful devotion, where our daily choices and actions reflect our love for him and others. The stories of scripture for today offer us powerful examples of what it means to prioritize our relationship with Christ and express our faith through meaningful acts of worship and service.
This week, I encourage you to take a moment each day to reflect on your own “alabaster jar” moments. Consider what you can offer to Jesus as an act of love and gratitude. It might be as simple as setting aside ten minutes for prayer or reaching out to a friend in need. Whatever it is, do it with a heart full of devotion, knowing that Jesus sees and values your sacrifice. Also, be mindful of the opportunities God gives you to honor God in your daily interactions. When faced with a challenging decision or conversation, ask yourself, “How can I reflect Jesus’ love and grace in this moment?” By keeping Christ near the center of our thoughts and actions, we grow in our faith and positively impact those around us.
As we conclude our exploration of these powerful stories from the Gospel of Mark, remember their enduring message. Just as the crowds welcomed Jesus with shouts of praise and the woman anointed him with costly perfume, we are called to live lives of wholehearted devotion and sacrificial love. In the coming week, as we journey towards the solemnity of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday, find your unique way to honor and serve Christ, knowing that living a life of devotion to Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right or that it will be easy. But as we strive to follow in the footsteps of those who praise and honor Jesus, we can trust that God will honor our efforts and use them for God’s glory. So, embrace the opportunity to live out your faith in tangible ways, whether through worship, service, or kindness, boldly proclaiming our faith and trust in the one who gave his life for us. In doing so, we deepen our relationship with God and shine God’s light into the world around us, knowing that every act of love and devotion, no matter how small, can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Will you pray with me?
Gracious and loving God, as we enter this Holy Week, we give thanks for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Make space for the stories of his triumphal entry and anointing to inspire us to live lives of devotion, sacrifice, and love. Guide us as we seek to honor You in all we do, and empower us to be agents of Your grace and mercy in the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
In crafting today’s sermon, I employed AI assistants like Grammarly, ChatGPT, and Claude, yet the ultimate responsibility for its content rests with me. These tools offered valuable perspectives, but the most influential sermon preparation hinges on biblical study, theological insight, personal reflection, and divine guidance. I see AI as a supportive aid to enrich the sermon process while ensuring my own voice in proclaiming the Word of God.
Rev. Andrew Conard 