Sermon Synopsis
This sermon explores the question, “What is the value of a gift?” through the contrasting responses of Mary, Judas, the religious leaders, and Jesus during the Passion Week. Mary’s act of worship reveals that true value is measured not by price, but by sacrifice and the heart of the giver. Judas and the priests reveal a value system shaped by convenience and legality rather than love and truth. Ultimately, the sermon points to Christ, who gave all that He had, and to the Father, who gave His only Son—God’s indescribable gift to the world.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
The Value of a Gift
Mark 14:1–11
Introduction: The Passion Week
Good morning. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and for the kind feedback you’ve given. I’ve taken it into consideration—some of it is very cute. One brother wrote me a long message, and at the end he said, “Be sharp and be short.” I’ll try my best, brother.
Today we are continuing what Kapong started three weeks ago: the topic of the Passion Week, the final week Jesus spent before going to the cross. Of course, it culminates in the crucifixion, the death, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is such an important topic that in the Gospel of John, about 40% of the entire book focuses on this Passion Week. The highlight, of course, is Easter Sunday, when the church gathers to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In many churches, one highlight of Easter Sunday is the prayer. Sometimes a famous person prays, sometimes a well-known prayer is read, and sometimes a church member is selected to pray.
A Short Quiz
So today, I want to practice with you. I have a quiz. I prepared three prayers for Easter Sunday. Which one do you think is the most appropriate?
Is it A, B, C, or D: none of the above?
I made it easy for you. The answer is D.
Why? Because the next slide made it very clear to me. I typed into AI and said, “Can you generate a prayer for me?” The prayer may be accurate, but it is done by a machine—there is no spirit.
Jesus said that the hour will come, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
This reminds us of Isaiah 29:
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.”
Remember this verse—we will come back to it later. The fear of God is taught by the commandment of men, not by the Spirit of God.
Scripture Reading: Mark 14:1–11
(Scripture read as given)
Setting the Theme
Today we have a short passage, and I would like to talk about three individuals and three objects.
The Topic: What Is the Value of a Gift?
Mark is very interesting because he often sandwiches stories together to magnify their meaning.
For example:
The lesson is clear:
The value of a gift is not just its price, but how much it costs the giver.
Three Objects and Three Individuals
Three Objects
Three Individuals
Who Knew Jesus Was Going to Die?
Jesus had told His disciples again and again that He was going to die:
Yet the disciples did not understand and were afraid to ask.
But in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, three people knew:
Mary: The Value of Jesus in Her Eyes
How do we know Mary knew?
Because she took action. She brought a very expensive bottle of pure nard, broke it, poured it on Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.
I was curious and searched how much pure nard costs today. A five-liter bottle costs thousands of dollars. Pure nard was used as perfume and also for embalming.
What Does This Show?
Four months earlier, when Lazarus died, Mary did not use this perfume to embalm her brother. She kept it for Jesus.
This tells us something very clear:
Jesus meant more to Mary than anyone else in the world—even her own brother.
Paul tells us that the glory of a woman is her hair. Mary wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. She took her glory and placed it at His feet.
By one simple act, she showed:
That is why Jesus said, “She has done a beautiful thing.”
Why Was This So Beautiful?
She did not think of herself. She did it for Jesus.
She did what she could, at that moment. It may seem small in the grand scheme, but at the right time, it meant everything.
Mary discerned what the disciples did not. She understood that Jesus would die the death of a criminal and would not receive proper burial. So she anointed Him before He died.
Jesus said that what she had done would be spoken of wherever the gospel is preached.
Judas: A Different Value System
Judas went to the chief priests and asked, “How much will you give me?”
The answer: 30 pieces of silver.
This was not the market price of a healthy slave. It was the legal compensation described in Exodus 21—the price to get oneself “off the hook” when a slave was killed.
The religious leaders gathered to find a way that was:
They were plotting how to kill Jesus while upholding the law.
When Judas later tried to return the money, they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
Their fear of God was taught by the commandments of men.
Comparing Values
So let’s summarize the value systems:
Jesus did what only He could do. Being sinless, He gave His life.
And the Father gave what only He could give:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
That is why Scripture says:
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”
How Did Mary Know?
Mary is mentioned by name only a few times, but each time she is found at Jesus’ feet:
That is her secret.
Closing Reflection
Though Jesus was treated as a criminal, His glory could not be hidden.
Mary anointed Him like a priest.
Pilate proclaimed Him King.
The centurion declared Him the Son of God.
The jar was broken. His body was broken.
The fragrance filled the room. His sacrifice fills history.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray.
O God and Father, we thank You for Your indescribable gift.
We thank You that we can worship You and remember the Lord Jesus for His death and for all that He has done.
He did what only He could do and gave all that He had.
Move our hearts, change our lives, and help us, like Mary, to do our small part in honoring You, worshiping You, and furthering Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.