The Ways of the Betrayer

Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!

John 12:1-8  (ESV)
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Sermon Outline
Where the dynamics of betrayal are at work within us, destruction will be a characteristic of our lives.

1. Hidden Influences

  • v3 “… anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair”

  • v4 “… who was to betray him”, v6 “he was a thief”

  • v5 “… why… not… given to the poor?”

  • v8 “… the poor you will always have with you”

2.  New Influences

  • v1 “Lazarus… whom Jesus had raised from the dead”

  • v7 “… leave her alone… my burial”

  • v3 “The house was filled with the fragrance of perfume”

Prayer of Confession
Our merciful God, we thank you for your grace and patience with us.  We have harbored problematic desires in our hearts.  We have served them, hidden them, and acted on them.  We are guilty of betrayal and harm.  Forgive us our many sins.  Open our eyes to see as you see.  Shape our minds to think your thoughts.  Renew our hearts so that your love becomes our love.  Amen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. What are some examples of betrayal?

  2. How do corrupt desires influence us? 

  3. What are some ways that keeping our sin hidden impacts us?  How does it shape how we perceive and experience the world?

  4. How can you be free of corrupt desires and habits?  What can you do with these impulses?

  5. What kind desires and impulses do you want?  If you could choose your instincts, what would they be?

  6. How does faith in Jesus change our hearts?  What old beliefs need to go, and what new beliefs need to take root?

  7. When do you need an advocate?  Do you find hope in the fact that Jesus defends his people?

  8. What would help grow your love for God?  How can love for God reshape specific thoughts and influence your decisions?