Anointing His Feet

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. (John 12:1-11, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

I have read this story many times in my life, and although I don’t remember exactly the first time I heard it (I was probably fairly young), I do remember having an immediate opinion of the two sisters.  My very first reaction was to feel badly for Martha, working so hard in the kitchen to serve all of those people by herself!  I remember thinking how frustrated she must have been that her sister was just sitting with Jesus, washing his feet with her hair, while she tried to make sure all the food was prepared and served.

Of course, once you understand what is truly going on in this story you realize that Mary is performing an incredible act of worship for Jesus’ sake.  She let down her hair—which was scandalous for a woman to do—she took a jar of perfume that was easily worth a year’s wages and used her scandalous hair to wash his feet with it.  The men in the room were speechless, except for Judas (who no one yet knew was a betrayer).

Everyone at the party was stunned by Mary's actions. Martha, no doubt, must have felt that Mary had gone over the top this time. The other disciples and attendees looked on, most likely, with embarrassment at Mary's display. But Judas couldn't stand for it—he just had to say something.

But I love what Jesus does for Mary. He stands up for Mary: "Leave her alone!" He understood Mary's heart, and he declared her work to be beautiful. He goes on to say that her loving display of affection had a special prophetic sense about it. Just as we read yesterday about Caiaphas's prophetic declaration, so Mary's actions are prophetically testifying to the fact that Jesus is going to be buried—and buried so hastily that there might not be time for a proper anointing.

I would like to think that if I were in that situation that I would have been like Mary—unashamed… uninhibited… freely worshipping.  But once I get honest with myself, I probably would have been more like Martha.  I mean, JESUS is at THEIR house.  AGAIN! The most important person who could ever show up is there.  He raised their brother from the dead.  Martha wants to make sure her hospitality to Jesus and his disciples is impeccable.  She doesn’t want them to wish for anything.  She wants to feed them and make them feel comfortable.  She is the responsible big sister.  The one who makes everything happen.  While Mary is the free spirit, not concerned at all with the fact that food may not be served. 

Jesus has never shown up at my house, at least not in bodily form.  I have never had to worry about feeding him dinner.  But I have held many a party in my day.  I love being surrounded by many good friends and family members.  And if you know me, you know I am not gifted in a detailed beautiful food presentation, I am not gifted in noticing when someone needs a new drink or needs their plate refilled, but I do like to make sure everyone feels at home.  I want to make sure everything is easy to find—cups, food, coffee, etc.  I want people to feel comfortable finding their own way around my house, serving themselves.  I want them to know that I am so glad they have come, and therefore I try to spend time with each person who has come.  I want them to know they hold an important place in my life.  And I do not like to still be setting up food as people arrive at my house, because it cuts into social time, and I feel as though I can’t give them the attention I’d like to!  So maybe I have a good mix of both Mary and Martha in me after all.  I would like to think that if Jesus showed up tonight, I’d be ready with my most expensive perfume and my scandalous hair to wash his feet with it. 

POINT OF PONDER:

Where do you see yourself in this story? 

Are you like Mary?  Shamelessly worshipping Jesus with everything she’s got?  Not worried at all about what anyone else in the house is thinking—risking the wrath of her sister who is doing all the hard work, the anger the men who perhaps don't quite understand why a woman lets down her hair in public, and the sneer of the money man who doesn't understand her motives?

Are you more like Judas? Appearing to be cautious, prudent and reliable?  Worried about how Mary might have better used the money spent on that perfume to care for the poor and needy or even to provide for the needs of Jesus and his band of followers. 

Or are you more like Martha?  Working hard to make sure everything is perfect.  Not able to stop yourself long enough to visit with those who are there because you’re too worried that the kitchen might blow up without you in it?  And if you are more like Martha, how do you feel about both Mary and Judas?

WHO AM I?

My name is Kate Sansom and as you know we just got back from a wonderful time in Maine with my family.  It is always too short.  I have always wished that Maine and Texas were a driveable distance from each other, close enough for a weekend trip.  Every day since we’ve been home our son Benjamin (who spent an entire month there!) has said “Mom, what are we doing tomorrow?” and regardless of my answer to that question he always says “I want to go back to Maine tomorrow” or “I know! We can go back to Maine tomorrow!”.  All I can think is “Welcome to my world, kid”.  I wish it were that easy.  I think he’s starting to realize we’re not going back “tomorrow” so now he’s starting to add that “Grammie and Grampie” should come and visit next week instead.  I love this kid!!!

This picture is from our trip.  From left to right we've got my cousin Aidan, Abby (who you can tell is super happy), my Mom, Benjamin (who couldn't be any cuter) and my Dad (just chillin') all sitting on the porch of our cottage on Matinicus Island.  It was a good day for sure, and I miss it.  :)