The Gospel of Mark – Mark 14:1-11

hillside Mark 2019

Jesus Exposes Hearts

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Mark 14:1-11 NASB

14 Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2 for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”

3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

 

OUTLINE

  • Hard Hearts 14:1-2
  • Pure Hearts 14:3
  • Divided Hearts 14:4-5
  • Whole Hearts 14:6-9
  • Unbelieving Evil 14:10-11

 

QUESTIONS

  1. The Bible makes it clear that nothing is hidden from God. He sees all including the motivations and intentions of our hearts (1 Sam 16:7) What are some reasons we continue to hide and armor up? What does vulnerability look like with God and others? Where have you seen/experienced vulnerability in a God-honoring way?
  2. (vs 1-2) Why is dead religion still an excellent way to hide from God and others? How have you used religion to hide? What does repentance look like?
  3. (vs 3) What motivated and led this lady to freely and extravagantly serve and love Jesus? What are some signs of a pure heart? What does the Bible say about the pure in heart? (Matthew 5:8)
  4. (vs 4-5) The divided heart loves to compare, critique, and criticize others to shift shame. How have you used good things to justify a divided heart?
  5. This gal never says a word in any of the narratives about her (John 12, Matt 26); Jesus defends and protects her. How does a pure heart allow for us to take down the armor and love freely? Why do attacks by others hurt so deeply? How is self-protection/guarding yourself from others sin? How did Jesus live? (1 Peter 2:21-24)
  6. (vs 10-11) The evil, unbelieving heart sees Jesus as a means to an end; a tool to be used for what we really want. How have you seen Jesus used as a tool to help you get what you want? (Mark 8:34)

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