Message Summary

James Ford opened with a greeting to the students and alumni of Moody Bible Institute, drawing attention to the fact that he is a Moody graduate. Following this greeting, he requested the audience stand as he read a portion of the text for his message, which deals with Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. His message began as he expressed emphatically the nature of love:  “Love is measured by what you’re willing to sacrifice for the one you love.” He continued with a lively and enthusiastic tone to relate the truth of the text through five main points:  the voluntary nature of love, the value of love, the vulnerability of love, the violation of love and the vindication of love.

Through various alliterations, inspiring phrases and engaging stories, Ford captured his audience and maintained a good-humored atmosphere. He made frequent jokes about the difference between his “white audience” at the session and his usual African-American congregation, encouraging today’s audience to be more expressive as he preached. As he worked through his five main points, Ford described the depth of Mary’s love for her savior, summarizing his own message into a simple phrase:  “I know that I love Jesus when Jesus is more valuable than my valuables.”

He was brought to tears as he closed his message with a vivid description of Christ’s passion, noting that “the Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of man might become the sons of God.” He explained that Mary understood this concept even though Jesus’ own disciples did not. Ford’s challenge to the audience was two-fold:  that as Mary illustrated, “we need to be able to comprehend how much Jesus is worth” and we need to value Him all the more because of it.

Impressions

As Ford described the extent of Mary’s love and sacrifice, I was challenged that the things I willingly sacrifice are nothing in comparison to what Christ sacrificed for me. I was also convicted that my love for Christ is inferior because my comprehension of Him is limited. Ford described the three positions that Mary assumes throughout scripture—sitting, kneeling and prostrate—corresponding with Jesus’ words, works and will. I was challenged to assume a similar position of submission so that I can better understand the word, works and will of Christ through scripture.

—Christopher Burdick, Sophomore, Communication Studies