2011-11-13
Training of the Twelve - Extravagant Love
Steve Lane

A. Review/Intro
Looking and believing being one in the same in Numbers 21 and John 3: 13 - 14
Psalm 123: 1 - 2; Hebrews 12: 2; Psalm 34: 5
Where is the Gaze of your soul? They stopped looking and they went astray
It's Saturday, and Jesus and His men are about two miles from Jerusalem in Bethany
Once again, we will not see this trait for which Jesus is training the disciples until later

B. Extravagant Love of Mary, and the Narrow Hearts of His Men
Matthew 26: 6 - 13 Whenever the gospel is preached, this deed will be preached
Pious stinginess is not a grace—Dave Ramsey's financial freedom is a tool, not the goal
Not holding yourself or your affection or your trust or your money or your love back from Him
They will invest their lives in others, because the love of God compels them to do so

C. A Generous Act that Flows Out of Generous Love
The love of Jesus is extravagant, but it is unlike human extravagant love in many ways
The quantity of oil Mary used was much more than necessary to do the job of anointing, and would have the appearance of extravagance and waste
Mary's act was magnificent love, but it was misnamed as extravagance and waste by the disciples
We dole out our time, our love, our money, our hospitality and affection for God—not Mary
A sprinkling of oil on the head of Aaron the High Priest would have been enough (Psalm 133)
David danced too extravagantly before the Ark
A wast of affection, sorrow, tears, prayer through the night, hard labor, etc. — guilt of the same
The love of Mary was all-out, and holding back nothing—she spent all she had

D. A Beautiful, Good and Noble Deed
She does a noble deed... and they criticize.
Love tends to push out that kind of petty fault finding
Isaiah 32: 8 - Generous, liberal, noble
Matthew 26: 10 - Good, noble, beautiful
Knowledge and wisdom without extravagant love makes men dull, and makes them miss the noble deeds
Extravagant love also gave Mary courage, and gave her liberty

E. A Picture of the Love of Christ and the Gospel
A powerful act, and a powerful example, and a powerful parable in itself. Mary's love for Jesus was pure, and the motive is compared to the motive of Jesus in going to the cross
1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 15
...and it is a deed inspired by such love
It is this kind of love for God that compels you to open your home, heart and life to others
What is commonly considered inconvenience and hardship and burden is love's delight

F. Conclusion
You can start today—give Him generously of your time, your energy, your focus...
Give Him the gaze of your soul, and you will find your love grow to extravagance for Him