John 12 - Awkward Vulnerability

Send us Fan MailIn this sermon, I (Eric) explored the concept of vulnerability in following Jesus, drawing from the story of Mary of Bethany in John 12:3. Mary, defying the norms of her honor-shame culture, washed Jesus’ feet with her hair in public—an act where women were expected not to touch men, especially in such an intimate manner. This bold gesture was not just deeply revealing; it also triggered Judas to criticize the use of expensive perfume, suggesting it could have been sold to aid the poor, as noted in John 12:5. What resonates most about this chapter is how Mary’s act foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. His declaration in John 12:32 of being ‘lifted up’ to save others from darkness and his response to the Greeks about finding life by hating it, as mentioned in John 12:25, are profound reflections on the path of true discipleship.Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose.Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age.The Village [email protected] information at www.villagersonline.com