How “Insider/Outsider” Distinctions Inflame Our Devotion

Mark’s account of the woman who anoints Jesus is shrouded in darkness. Just before the story, we see the religious leaders plotting Jesus’ demise. Right after the story, Judas makes plans to betray Jesus and wait for the right time to hand him over.
But Mark not only heightens the drama by sandwiching the woman’s action in between two acts of treachery. He also sets up the scene so that we take a step outside of Jerusalem with Jesus. There’s a subtle insider/outsider motif in this passage.
Mark tells us that the anointing takes place in Bethany (which is outside Jerusalem), in the home of Simon the leper (an outsider if ever there was one). And into this male dinner party enters a woman, in a day and age where women did not intrude unless they were serving food.

• Outside Jerusalem…
• Outside the community…
• Outside the exclusively male circle…

And what does this woman do? She worships.
True worship is the result of one’s overflowing gratitude for no longer being on the outside. The woman’s action is a microcosm of Christian worship. The Christian life is a grateful response to the God who has brought us “outsiders” into his arms and made us part of his family.

• We’re orphans, and he adopts us.
• We’re lepers, and he heals us.
• We’re sinners, and he cleanses us.
• We’re rebels, and he makes us his servants.
• We’re prodigals, and he welcomes us.
• We’re outsiders, and he brings us into his heart.

Many evangelicals today are reluctant to speak of boundaries and walls that divide people into categories of “inside” or “outside” the kingdom. We hesitate to make distinctions. We don’t want to put people in uncomfortable situations that lead them to realize they are on the “outside” when it comes to the kingdom of God.
But we not only cut out the heart of evangelism when we blur the “insider/outsider” distinction. We cut out the heart of Christian worship too! You will never worship God properly until you come to grips with the awesome grace of God that sought you out while you were still outside.
Extravagant grace leads to extravagant worship. Downplay the grace and you will never truly worship.
Kingdom People