Mark 14:1-11 | How much do you value Jesus?

from Ascend Bible Church Hosted by Mitch Green

Can you believe we are here? Passion Week. Mark slows way down. Every scene carries weight. Exodus 12 is in the background—the Lamb, the blood, judgment passing over. And now the true Lamb is just days from being slain. In this passage, Mark gives us three postures toward Jesus. Not random stories. Not disconnected moments. Three different responses that reveal how we truly value Christ. In this sermon we walk through: 1) The Critic – Close to Jesus, but cold in heart. Calculating. Evaluating worship through efficiency. Resistant to costly devotion. 2) The Worshiper – Breaking the jar. Pouring it all out. Not measured. Not strategic. Just love. Jesus calls it “beautiful.” 3) The Self-Seeker – Same week. Same Jesus. Different heart. While one pours, another negotiates. Then we circle back and ask the deeper questions: 1. We do what we love. 2. We give to what we value. 3. We only serve one Master. This text isn’t ultimately about ointment. It’s about allegiance. The critic protects himself. The worshiper pours out to Jesus. The self-seeker sells. And here’s the grace: The One who is betrayed still goes to the cross. For critics. For self-seekers. For imperfect worshipers. Lord, You are worthy. If this message encourages or challenges you, consider sharing it and subscribing for more teaching through the Gospel of Mark.