Lent: Passion that Changed the World

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Lent:  Passion  that  Changed  the  World     John  12:  1-­‐8  Mary  Anoints  Jesus   Pastor  Eugene,  February  22,  2015     1. What  do  you  think  of  when  you  think  of  the  word  passion?  What  are  you   passionate  about?   2. Read  John  12:1-­‐8.     a. What  is  the  cost  of  Mary  showing  her  devotion  to  Jesus  –  (personal,   cultural  and  material…)?  What  do  her  actions  show  about  her  passion   for  following  Jesus?   b. How  do  you  identify  with  Judas’  response  to  Mary’s  actions?  How  does   Jesus’  response  to  his  concern  inform  us  to  where  our  highest  priority   should  be?   3. Pastor  Eugene  shared  that  in  his  first  years  of  being  a  pastor  he  struggled   because  he  was  seeking  to  fulfill  and  define  his  own  passions  rather  than   making  Jesus  his  first  pursuit.  It  was  when  he  passionately  sought  Jesus  that   he  was  able  to  suffer  and  serve  and  love  with  greater  joy  because  it  is  not   about  himself.     a. Share  a  time  when  focusing  on  Jesus’  life  or  teaching  shifted  your   perspective  on  a  circumstance  or  relationship.     4. Eugene  challenged  us  by  saying  that  we  need  to  follow  Jesus  rather  than   asking  him  to  follow  us  (Mat.  4:19)   a. What  does  following  Jesus  look  like  for  you  in  this  season  of  life?     b. Is  there  a  part  of  your  life  that  your  are  asking  Jesus  to  follow  you   rather  than  looking  to  him  for  leadership?     c. What  would  it  look  like  for  you  to  follow  Jesus  with  greater  trust?   5. A  life  following  Jesus  is  costly  and  we  are  told  that  there  will  be  suffering   along  the  way-­‐  especially  if  you  are  following  Jesus  passionately.  Pastor   Eugene  gives  these  examples,  “It  means  loving  something  more  than  your   own  comfort  or  convenience.  Sometimes  it  means  giving  lavishly  in  order  to   participate  in  what  God  is  doing.    Sometimes  it  means  loving  and  forgiving   others  even  when  it’s  difficult.”  Similarly,  Mary’s  closeness  to  Christ  came  at  a   great  cost  socially,  materially,  culturally.   a. Is  there  a  way  currently  or  in  the  past  that  following  Jesus  has   required  you  to  suffer  or  sacrifice?  How  might  you  sacrifice  during   this  season  of  lent  that  you  might  grow  closer  to  Jesus  through  it?     Scriptural  References     • John  12:1-­‐8   1Six  days  before  the  Passover,  Jesus  came  to  Bethany,  where  Lazarus  lived,   whom  Jesus  had  raised  from  the  dead.  2  Here  a  dinner  was  given  in  Jesus’   honor.  Martha  served,  while  Lazarus  was  among  those  reclining  at  the  table   with  him.  3  Then  Mary  took  about  a  pint[a]  of  pure  nard,  an  expensive  

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perfume;  she  poured  it  on  Jesus’  feet  and  wiped  his  feet  with  her  hair.  And   the  house  was  filled  with  the  fragrance  of  the  perfume.   4  But  one  of  his  disciples,  Judas  Iscariot,  who  was  later  to  betray  him,   objected,  5  “Why  wasn’t  this  perfume  sold  and  the  money  given  to  the  poor?   It  was  worth  a  year’s  wages.[b]”  6  He  did  not  say  this  because  he  cared   about  the  poor  but  because  he  was  a  thief;  as  keeper  of  the  money  bag,  he   used  to  help  himself  to  what  was  put  into  it.  7  “Leave  her  alone,”  Jesus   replied.  “It  was  intended  that  she  should  save  this  perfume  for  the  day  of  my   burial.  8  You  will  always  have  the  poor  among  you,[c]  but  you  will  not   always  have  me.”   John  10:11   11  “I  am  the  good  shepherd.  The  good  shepherd  lays  down  his  life  for  the   sheep.   Luke  9:23   23  Then  he  said  to  them  all:  “Whoever  wants  to  be  my  disciple  must  deny   themselves  and  take  up  their  cross  daily  and  follow  me.