Pastor Femi Ibitoye, Eastbrook’s Pastor of Worship and Prayer, concluded our Lenten preaching series, “Scandalous Jesus,” this past weekend on Palm Sunday. Femi preached out of Matthew 26:1-16, giving specific attention to the episode where a woman comes and anoints Jesus in the home of Simon the Leper.

This message is from the ninth part of our longer journey through the Gospel of Matthew, which includes “Family Tree,” “Power in Preparation,” “Becoming Real,” “The Messiah’s Mission,” “Stories of the Kingdom,” “Who Do You Say I Am?“, “‘Tis the Reason,” and “Jesus Said What?!“

You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

---

^“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:12-13)

The Chief Priest and Elders of the people plotted to kill Jesus instead of lavishing their love on him (26:3-5)

       They schemed to kill Jesus instead of loving him (26:3)

       They plotted to kill in secret instead of loving him (26:4)

       They feared the people instead of fearing God. (They loved appearances, and praise of the

       People, instead of the praise from God. (26:5)

       They willingly and knowing plotted to kill Jesus in secret breaking the command of God. “You shall not kill” (Matthew 26:5; Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 27:24-25)

Judas loved money Instead of loving Jesus

       Plotted with the Chief Priests to kill an innocent person with bribery (26:14-16)

       Judas loved money more than loving Jesus (26:14-16)

       Judas and the other disciples have forgotten the greatest commandment. 

       “Love God” (Matthew 26:7-9, 22:26-40)

A woman (likely Mary, sister of Lazarus, lavished her love on Jesus (26:6-11)

       She loved by pouring expensive perfume on Jesus

       She lavished her love on Jesus publicly

       She loved Jesus by listening and believing in him

       Jesus honored and blessed her in return.  You cannot out give Jesus.

Why lavish our love on Jesus

       Because he first lavished his love on us (1 john 4:19, 4:9-10)

       Because it is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-38)

       Because Jesus is worthy of our love and worship (Revelation 5: 11-14)

What can we do to lavish our love on Jesus?

      Worship him

      Obey him

      Love people

      Give

Lavish your love on Jesus publicly. At church, at work, on social media.  Love Jesus instead of money, power or status.   

---

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Matthew 26:11-12.
• Take some time to pray through Matthew 26:1-16, letting God reveal any areas where you have gotten off-track in your life with God. Confess and repent of those wrong ways in prayer. What will you do to lavish your love on Jesus today? Take a stand and act.
• Prepare for Holy Week by reading Matthew chapters 26, 27 and 28.