At the Feet of Jesus; 在耶穌腳前

3/21/10 Sermon by Minister Michael Johnson Translated by Mu-En Yang

約翰福音（John ）12:1-8

Saving money can be a tedious pursuit. It requires you not spend money on low priority items in order to save for the purchase of something larger or more important. When I was 11, I loved collecting baseball cards. My brothers and I would do odd jobs around the neighborhood in order to earn money to buy more of them. We cleared snow from neighbors’ driveways in the winter, raked leaves in the spring and mowed lawns in the summer. Sure, I was tempted to spend my earnings on a candy bar here or a comic book there, but my desire to buy more baseball cards was always stronger. I never let anything distract me from my cause.

存錢(khiǎm) si 一個(chhit-le) jin 久長(ku-tng) 額 chhin 累(thiam) e 行為. Be kiam jin te ai 盡量減少沒必要的開銷，按呢才有錢好來開大筆的。當我十一歲的時，我真愛收集棒球明星的卡片。我和我兄哥會去厝邊幫人到三工，賺一些錢來買這的卡片。阮bat佇冬天幫人鏟雪，佇春天幫人掃樹葉，佇夏天幫人剪草。當然，我嘛真想要提錢來買糖仔餅，或者是買ang仔書，但是我意愛買棒球卡，卡贏佇別項的物，呣bat分心去買別項。

Of course, as we mature, our tastes change. I went from saving money for baseball cards to saving money for a car. In college, seminary and graduate school, I had to save money for books. Little did I know that books would be as expensive as a car! What are other things we have all saved money towards? Perhaps for education, weddings, a down payment for a house, emergencies, college for our children, retirement or an inheritance to leave our families. Don’t those all sound like worthwhile pursuits? Now imagine saving all that money and then using it on something wasteful. This is exactly what the disciples thought Mary Magdalene was doing when she poured the oil on Jesus’ feet here in John 12.

當然，當阮越來越大漢，所意愛的物件嘛會改變。我對儉錢買棒球卡變作儉錢買車。佇大學，神學院以及研究所，我就要儉錢買書。我呣知影講書竟然會和買車平多錢!!請問咱攏為著啥米原因儉錢?咁的是為著教育?為著結婚?買厝的頭期款?意外開銷?兒女的大學學費?退休金?亦是為著留財產互後代?tsia ê聽起來攏真值得咱來追求。請咱大家想像一下，將所有khiǎm下的錢，提來pah-sng。這teh是當Bua̍t-tāi-lia̍p ê 馬利亞用(īng)油抹耶穌ê腳ê時，門徒怎樣來看這件事。

Mary did not spare any expense with the oil she used to anoint the feet of Jesus. The oil she used, according to Scripture, was worth 300 Denarii for the eleven ounces she used. To put this into perspective, one denarius was considered to be the wage for one day of labor. So, 300 denarii would be worth the average salary for one year. Imagine taking a year’s worth of salary and using it to purchase perfume and then, in one fell swoop, emptying the entire contents all at once. If you don’t think it is possible to spend that kind of money for perfume, let me tell you I was able to find a perfume for sale that retails for about 2,000 dollars an ounce. This makes eleven ounces about $22,000 dollars. Obviously, oil like this would be very lavish and used only for special occasions.

馬利亞leh抹耶穌ê時並沒留一滴滴仔互傢己。這個(tsit-leh)油，哪照聖經的記載，有十一ounce，值三百銀。哪照今哪日的算法，一銀差不多是一天的工。所以三百銀等於是一年的薪水。想像提一年的工資來買香水，然後一個手就用掉。哪是你講”哪有遐貴的香水?”，我uē-eng找到一ounce二千元的香水，按呢十一ounce啲是二萬二千元。這款油一定是jin高貴，咁哪也佇特別的日子提出來用。

The special occasion for the use of Mary’s perfume, or oil, was typically used upon someone’s death. This makes the use of this oil very symbolic. She was pouring the oil on the feet of Jesus who would be crucified in less than two weeks. Mary’s action foreshadows Jesus’ death much to the confusion of the disciples. Not only was Mary using an incredibly expensive oil to anoint Jesus’ feet, but she was using an oil that is saved for someone’s death! In all their knowledge of the Lord and in all their closeness to Him they still did not understand His purpose on earth. They were still in the dark about His coming death. Whether or not Mary was privy to Christ’s future on earth is uncertain, but the meaning of the oil remains the same. It was of great value and intended for a specific purpose.

用這款油的特別日子是某咪人過身的時。因為按呢，使用這款油是真有代表性的意義。馬利亞將這(tse)油抹佇耶穌的腳沒兩禮拜耶穌就受釘，死佇十字架頂。馬利亞預表耶穌的死的舉動互門徒真giâu-gî。馬利亞用來抹耶穌的油不只是真貴，而己是為著人的死來準備的。佇門徒kap耶穌真親密的熟識中怹(in)並沒認bat耶穌來世上ê目的。怹iau唔知耶穌beh死。雖然馬利亞是m是知影耶穌beh死並不是真卡定，但是tse並bô改變油的意義，啲是伊真貴，而且是為著特別事件準備的。

It is also important to recognize the humility of the scene. Mary is kneeling before Jesus. She is pouring the oil on his feet. Then she wipes his feet with her hair. Picture the feet of your spouse or a close friend after they had been wearing sandals and walking through dirt streets and paths for the day. I am sure it is not the most appealing image. The person’s feet would be dirty and probably cracked from dryness. Now picture kneeling before this person, taking their feet, and washing them. This probably a similar picture to what Mary was doing here. Only, instead of using a towel to wipe Jesus’ feet, she used her hair.

佇這個事件中，謙卑是一個真重要的重點。馬利亞跪佇耶穌的面前，將油倒佇伊的腳，然後用家己的頭鬆來tshit拭。想像一雙腳，穿涼鞋，整天的外面行，我想tsit雙腳一定be真清氣，而己可能kui雙腳全裂痕。現在你跪落下，掠伊的腳來洗。這真卡能是馬利亞所面對的情形，只不過提來拭腳的不是面巾，是伊家己的頭髮。

Who in this room would be willing to do this for a friend? I know I would hesitate to do such an act. I am sure Mary did not think twice. She was willing to give up an item that, if sold, could feed her family for a year in order to offer a gift to Jesus. She may have been saving money for a long time to purchase that item. It may have been an heirloom passed down to her. People might relate this offering as a tithe of sorts, but this was so much more than a tithe being offered to Jesus. A tithe is an offering to a church or religious organization that aids in its functioning. What Mary gave to Jesus was a symbolic offering of her love toward Him.

在場咁有人願意為朋友做這款代誌? 哪是我，一定be真願意做。我相信馬利亞是想攏bô想。伊真甘願放捒一個哪賣掉會能餵全家一年的物來獻互耶穌。這個油，伊有可能khiam 錢khiam真久來買，伊嘛有可能對勢大來繼承。人可能想這是馬利亞對耶穌所作的十一奉獻，但是這遠遠超過伊能力通作的十一奉獻。十一奉獻是幫助教會亦是機構事工的奉獻。但是馬利亞所做的奉獻是代表伊對耶穌的愛。

There are some secular writers and theologians that have speculated a relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene that moves beyond what is recorded in Scripture. Some have said that Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married. This is erroneous because there is no evidence to support this claim. Jesus was sent to the earth for a solitary purpose and Mary was a faithful follower of Christ. Her act here was one of love and compassion. Mary’s offering is a true example of giving something to God without any remorse or regret. She saw the use of the oil as the perfect opportunity.

有一些基督教的作者或者是神學家思考馬利亞kap耶穌的關係，這實在是超過聖經經文的記戴。有的人講抹大拉的馬利亞和耶穌有結婚。並沒任何的證據來支持這款錯誤的講法。耶穌受差來到世間是為著真獨一的目標。佇另外一方面，馬利亞是基督真忠心的跟隨者。馬利亞的行為是出佇對耶穌的愛和熱情。馬利亞的奉獻沒一些不甘願的，並且看這個時機作用伊的油的一個真好的時機。

When have you seen a perfect opportunity to offer something to the Lord? Did you decide to take this opportunity? I have heard many examples ranging from both sides of this question. Some have given without regret and some have withheld giving to others. I am not trying to make this sermon about tithing, even thought tithing is important. I am speaking to what we are willing to give to the Lord. This does not need to be material as was Mary’s offering. She offered something material, but it was a symbol of complete trust in Christ to care for all her needs.

你咁曾將某咪時陣看作奉獻物互上帝的絕好時機?你咁決定把握這個機會?我聽過真多款的回答。有的人奉獻完全沒tiu-tu，有的人是奉獻到心肝tiu-tiu 叫。我唔是 beh趁講道的時勸大家作十一奉獻，雖然十一奉獻是真重要的。我beh講的是咱甘願獻啥物互上帝。這不一定是物質的物親像馬利亞所獻的。伊獻上物質的物，但是所代表的，是馬利亞相信基督會掌管伊一切所需要的。

How often have we been asked to give from what we’ve been saving, whether it’s money or time or something else but we’ve been reluctant because we haven’t taken into consideration that God knows what we have been saving for and that He will take care of our needs as well. Do any of you, when reading this account in John, wonder why Mary would “waste” such expensive oil? Do you recoil at the thought of it? Do you wonder if she had cheaper oil she could have used? If she was going to use the expensive variety, why not use just a little? Why the whole bottle? It’s tough, isn’t it? Jesus wants the best from us. Remember in the Old Testament when we talked about sacrifice? God wanted the best: the spotless lamb, the fatted calf and the first fruits of labor. He doesn’t settle for less, so neither should we. Contrast Mary’s attitude to Judas’. This description of Mary is a polar opposite to the description of Judas.

咱咁有常常被要求付出咱所儉的?咱可能常常不願意來付出，因為咱沒考慮到上帝知影咱所要儉的，並且伊的照顧咱的需要。咱咁有人teh讀這段經文的時，懷疑啥事馬利亞要”打sng”遮呢貴的油?你咁曾反對這款的想法?咁曾想過如果伊有卡俗的油，你咁有提來用?哪是伊要用遮貴的油，啥事bo-ai用卡少一些?啥事要用整罐?負擔真重，咁呣是?耶穌對咱所愛的，是咱最好的。當咱teh講奉獻的時，咱咁e記得舊約的教示?上帝愛最好的:沒瑕疵的羊，肥的牛，以及地內第一起頭熟的。上帝沒吩咐卡少亦沒吩咐上差的，所以咱的奉獻亦呣通濫滲。來較馬利亞和猶大，完全是兩個極端的對比。

Judas makes a seemingly honest response to the use of the oil on Jesus’ feet. He asks why the oil was not sold and used to help the poor. This seems a legitimate response by Judas. A year’s worth of wages could have been distributed among the poor and helped many. However, Judas is revealed to have an ulterior motive in this situation. This passage tells us, though, that Judas was entrusted with the moneybox, and he stole from it. Judas did not see an opportunity to help the poor, but saw an opportunity to increase his own wealth. This is a stark distinction made between Mary and Judas. Mary gave to Christ all that she had and Judas took for himself. Judas was a disciple of Christ and yet He did not trust Jesus to meet His needs, but stole in order to obtain material wealth.

猶大對馬利亞用油抹耶穌這件事所作的回應聽起來是真老實。他問講啥事這的油沒提來賣，將所得的金錢來救濟散赤人。這個回應對猶大來看是真合理。一年的工資e-ing提來分互真多散赤人。但是，猶大外在動機soa 藏不住。這段經文kak咱講雖然猶大受託來管錢，伊其實對其中偷提。猶大並沒將這看作救濟散赤人的機會，但伊看這作增加伊個人財富的機會。這的確是馬利亞和猶大中真大的不同。馬利亞為著基督奉獻伊全部所有的，但是猶大為著家己偷提。猶大是基督的一個門徒，但是你並沒相信耶穌會照顧伊的需要，伊偷提錢來達到物質的富裕。

So what do we give to the Lord? Is it time, money, our whole hearts? Mary sought to give something of exceptional value to Jesus and He rewarded her. Judas sought to hold onto all the money he could. Mary was willing to give and Judas desired to take. Mary, in following Christ had to opportunity for eternal life. Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver and ultimately died a traitor.

咱提啥米互上帝? 時間，金錢，以及咱的全心。馬利亞全心致意要獻真貴的物互耶穌，伊亦按呢得到獎賞。猶大全心致意要偷提伊所偷的著的金錢。馬利亞甘願奉獻，猶大soa beh提。馬利亞因為跟隨耶穌，得著永生的機會；猶大為著三十元銀背叛基督，得到(teh-kao)永遠的死。

Let’s turn now to the season of Lent. Many people decide to give up something for the 40 days leading up to Easter. If you have decided to do so did you find yourself as happy for your decision? Did you find yourself turning to Christ when you felt the urge to return to what you had given up during this time? The season of Lent is not just for the sake of giving up something. That is not the point. The point is to turn to God and rely on Him for everything. During this time is an opportunity to prepare for Easter. We are preparing for the time of when we remember the death of Christ and His glorious resurrection. No one in that room with Jesus knew better what Christ could do for His followers than Lazarus. I do not believe Lazarus was included in this passage by chance. Lazarus had recently been raised from the dead. Jesus had come and resurrected Lazarus’ lifeless body.

咱回頭來看Lent(大齋節)的這個節期。真多人佇這四十天放捒一些所意愛的物。哪是你也決定beh按呢行，甘有感到卡快樂?當你想beh轉回去所放捒的物的時，你甘有感覺離耶穌卡近?大齋節不是獨獨要人放捒啥米，這呣是重點。重點是轉倒去歸佇上帝，而且佇一切的需要頂面來倚靠伊。這個時節是一個準備迎接復活節的時間。阮為著基督的死以及榮耀的復活來準備。當hit時，房間內沒一個人比拉撒路卡明白耶穌所e-eng成作的。我沒相信拉撒路hong寫佇這段經文中是一個意外。耶穌曾將拉撒路對死人中互伊生命復活起來。

Lazarus had been dead for four days when Jesus raised him from the dead. It was not just a few hours, but four days. Lazarus was already wrapped in burial cloth and set in a tomb when Jesus performed this miracle. Lazarus knew he could give His whole life to Christ. Lazarus probably knew Christ’s work was more than just on this earth. Lazarus had an eternal focus because He knew even death was not something that could stop the power of Christ. Just as Mary’s act is foreshadowing Jesus’ death Lazarus’ presence in this scene may represent the resurrection Jesus would accomplish after His death. Jesus knew that just as Lazarus was raised from the dead so would He be resurrected after His own death.

當耶穌互拉撒路對死人中復活的時，拉撒路已經死四天阿，不是死幾點鐘nia。當耶穌行這個神蹟的時，拉撒路已經互人包起來，葬佇墳墓中。拉撒路知伊會將伊一生攏獻互基督。拉撒路可能知影基督的工是超過世間的。伊有一個永遠的目標，因為伊知死並沒法度阻擋基督的權能。馬利亞的行為暗示耶穌的死，拉撒路佇一段經文中的出現有可能是要代表基督佇伊死後的復活。耶穌知影beh對伊家己的死中復活，親像伊互拉撒路復活一樣。

How are we preparing for Christ? In what way do we offer ourselves to the Lord? Many around the world celebrate this season. This is one of two holidays when so many go to church. Many observe Lent, Passover, and Easter out of “religious obligation.” For many this is acceptable, but is it acceptable for us to think this way? I can say with certainty that Mary would not have viewed this time with “religious obligation.” I know the disciples and Lazarus would not see it this way either. It is already evident that bunnies and chocolates are overwhelming candy aisles and checkout lanes. Stores strategically place these items in the front in order to attract the eyes of consumers. While chocolate tastes good it cannot offer us Salvation. Jesus offers us Salvation!

咱愛怎樣來為著基督作準備?咱愛按哪來奉上家己佇上帝的面前?全世界真多人teh記念這個節期。有真多人平常時不去教會，甘哪佇這個節期才去教會。嘛有真多人呣是因為”宗教義務”參與佇大齋節，蹯過節以及復活節。我想門徒以及拉撒路嘛呣是按呢想。兔仔和巧克力已經成作這個節期的代表商品。所有的店thiau-khang將這的商品chhai佇明顯的所在，來吸引消費者的注意。但是巧克力卡按哪好吃，伊的滋味beh-ing贏過救恩，耶穌互咱的救恩。

How do we recognize this Salvation? Are our lives changed? Do we give joyously back to the one who has saved us from death? It does not take much to give to the Lord if we truly want to see Him glorified. He has saved us from death. At one point we had no hope for life, but now, like Lazarus, we need not fear death. Mary found her comfort at the feet of Christ. Serving Christ as her Lord and Savior comforted Mary. Are we not to find our comfort in the same place? We are humbled at the feet of Jesus. We cannot serve Him while at the same time serving our own desires if those desires conflict with serving Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Our desire should be to live humbly for the Lord and our actions should demonstrate this humility.

咱怎樣來認識這個救恩?咱的生命咁有改變?咱咁甘願奉獻佇對死中救贖咱的主?咱呣免提真多來榮耀上帝。伊將咱對死中救回來。馬利亞沒看輕基督的腳。服事救伊的主互伊真爽快。咱咁沒對服事咱的主感到kang-kuan的爽快?咱來謙卑佇主的腳前。咱be-ing 同時服事咱的主額服事咱家己的私慾。咱的所愛是愛謙卑為主來活，而且咱的行為愛顯現這款的謙卑。

Remember, we are not entitled to the Salvation we receive in Christ. It was not entitlement that brought Lazarus back from the dead. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet because she was humble before Him and not because she was looking for a reward. We have been chosen by our Lord to be in His presence. I encourage everyone to dwell on this in the coming weeks. Remember our Lord chose to die for us because He has chosen us and not because we are entitled to the benefit we receive from His death and resurrection. May we pour out our lives to Jesus in the same way as Mary, with passion, selflessness, authenticity and humility, 咱的愛e-kit-tih咱沒值得對基督的救贖。拉撒路對死人中復活嘛呣是伊值得。馬利亞用油抹耶穌的腳是出佇伊對耶穌的愛，不是伊愛得著啥咪報賞。咱互上帝選作beh和伊同在的選民。我鼓勵大家佇這kui禮拜中照按呢來活。愛e-kit-tih，基督為咱死是因為伊選咱，呣是咱值得對伊的死和復活得著啥米好處。盼望咱攏親像馬利亞將咱的全心獻互耶穌，是有熱情的，沒自私的，真實的，亦是謙卑的。