Eastside Missionary Baptist Church

“OUR BEST, OUR ALL FOR JESUS - WHO GAVE HIS BEST, HIS ALL!” Matthew 26:1-13

Introduction: And now as the fragrance still hangs in the air of that little house in Bethany, as the disciples shift uncomfortably in their seats, as Mary wipes the last tear from her cheek and the last drop of oil from her hands.  We must step back— back before the breaking, back before the pouring, back before the fragrance filled the room. Because this story does not begin with a woman breaking her box— it begins with a Savior announcing His cross. Before Mary poured out her best, Jesus revealed His. Before she broke her alabaster, He spoke of His agony. Before she offered her treasure, He offered His life. The chapter opens not with perfume - but with prophecy. Not with worship - but with warning. Not with sacrifice - but with the Savior setting His face toward Calvary. And so, before we talk about Mary’s gift, we must hear Jesus’ grief. Before we admire her devotion, we must acknowledge His destiny. Because the only reason Mary gave her best is because Jesus was preparing to give His all. So let us step into the opening verses-

I. THE SAVIOR’S SURE STATEMENT  

THE MASTER DECLARES HIS DESTINY, ANNOUNCES HIS MISSION, GIVES A PREDICTION OF THE PASSION Matthew 26:1-2  

A. The Calmness of Christ in the Coming Crisis

He faced the cross with fearless grace; He set His heart toward Calvary’s place.

B. The Lamb Who Schedules His Sacrifice

Passover is approaching - and the Passover Lamb sets the hour of His own offering. He is not a victim of violence; He is the Victor fulfilling a vow.

II. THE SINNERS’ SECRET SCHEME

THE COUNCIL OF CORRUPTION, THE PLOT OF THE PRIESTS

Matthew 26:3-5 The religious leaders quietly plot to kill Him. While evil plans its worst, God prepares His best.

A. The Gathering of the Godless

B. The Plot of Pretenders They whisper, “Not on the feast day…” But God has already decreed, “On the feast day.” Man’s calendar cannot cancel God’s counsel. Human schemes cannot stop heavenly sovereignty.

III. THE SERVANT’S SACRIFICIAL SHOWING

THE WOMAN WHO GAVE HER BEST, THE PERFUME OF PURE DEVOTION Matthew 26:6-7  

A. The Setting of Salvation “In the house of Simon the leper”

A healed man hosts the Healer. Grace always turns patients into hosts, and beggars into blessers.

B. The Sacrifice of Sincere Love

Mary enters with an alabaster box - fragile, flawless, full of fragrance. She gave her best - her all - because Jesus would give His best- His all.

IV. THE SCOFFERS’ SELFISH SPEECH

THE DISCIPLES’ DISHONORABLE DISPLEASURE, THE PROTEST OF THE PETTY Matthew 26:8-9 “To what purpose is this waste?”

A. The Complaint of Carnal Hearts “Why this waste?”

The disciples complain and call her worship “waste.” The word “waste” reveals their warped worship. To them, nothing poured on Jesus is worth the price.

B. The Cloak of Compassion

Judas pretends to care for the poor. But Scripture unmasks him—he is a thief. He hides greed behind generosity. Conviction often disguises itself as criticism.

V. THE SAVIOR’S SWEET SUPPORT

THE SAVIOR’S SWEET DEFENSE Matthew 26:10-13 Jesus defends Mary, honors her gift, and declares it eternal. “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me.” Jesus remembers every act of love we give Him.

A. The Commendation of Christ

Jesus calls her act: Not wasteful - wonderful. Not foolish - faithful. Not reckless - righteous. Matthew 26:10 “She hath wrought a good work upon Me.”

B. The Preparation for His Passion Matthew 26:12 “She did it for my burial.”

C. The Promise of Perpetual Praise Matthew 26:13  

Her broken box became her eternal biography. Prophetic Scripture is being fulfilled in your ears today, because Mary lived almost 2,000 years ago; and yet, we're still remembering her today.  

CONCLUSION: So, what does all this mean for us today?

1. Worship Must Be Costly Cheap worship changes nothing. Costly worship changes everything.

2. Love Must Be Lavish Mary didn’t measure her devotion - she poured it. Stop calculating your love for Jesus. Start celebrating it.

3. Obedience Must Be Immediate. Mary didn’t wait. She didn’t ask permission. She didn’t check the budget. Delayed obedience is disguised disobedience.

4. Jesus Must Be Our Priority. Mary gave her best to Jesus while she had Him. Many wait until it’s too late.  Had Mary not anointed Jesus when she did, she never would have. For Jesus died on Passover and roses again three days later. When the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus He was risen! She did what she could; she did all she could; and she did it when she could. She came ahead of time to anoint the body of Jesus, because she was spiritually sensitive. Only one life; Twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last!

Lunch Following The AM Worship!

Sunday PM 5th Sunday Singing, Talent, and Testimony Night