playnext.fm

Imprint Woodinville Sermons

Some Final Moments With Jesus

·36 min·3 clips
A woman pours a year's wages of perfume on Jesus's head, sparking outrage among his disciples.
The episode is a sermon from Imprint Church in Woodinville, WA, delivered by Pastor Darren Larson. It begins with a reading from Matthew 26 about a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, which the disciples criticize as wasteful. Larson introduces the sermon with an analogy about movie trailers, comparing them to the setup in Matthew 26-28 for Jesus's crucifixion. He outlines four themes: conspiracy, devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, but focuses on conspiracy and devotion in depth. For conspiracy, he discusses Caiaphas, the high priest who conspired against Jesus, noting his 18-year tenure and political maneuvering as described by historian Josephus. For devotion, he analyzes the story of Mary (identified from John's gospel) anointing Jesus, highlighting her extravagant act as a response of total devotion worth a year's wages. Larson contrasts this with Judas's betrayal for 30 pieces of silver, emphasizing the pain and prophecy fulfillment. He then delves into the Lord's Supper, explaining it as a new covenant echoing Exodus and Jeremiah, offering forgiveness for betrayal. Throughout, Larson shares personal reflections, confessing his own utilitarian faith and citing Francis Schaeffer's 'problem of reality' about serving versus enjoying Jesus. The sermon concludes with an invitation to communion, encouraging listeners to respond with devotion like Mary and find redemption despite betrayal. The format is a solo sermon with biblical exegesis, cultural context, and personal application, delivered in an educational and narrative tone.

As heard by us

The Bethany anointing anchors a warm, searching sermon about valuing Jesus beyond his usefulness.

A costly act of devotion frames the sermon's central question: is Jesus merely useful, or genuinely beautiful? Moving from the Bethany anointing to Judas's betrayal, it lingers on the woman's willingness to surrender wealth, security and reputation for someone she believes is…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want to ask whether Jesus is beautiful to you, not merely useful.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from Imprint Woodinville Sermons