What's going on here? I see Mary's extravagant gift as an act of worship. Jesus had already raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Mary knew this was no ordinary man. Mary knew that Jesus was the promised Savior, and that his death was coming soon. The pleasant smell of the perfume is in sharp contrast to the smell of death, present in the tomb of Lazarus and among all the dead. The monetary value of the perfume is nothing in comparison to what Jesus would soon do, give his life for the sins of the world. So Mary gives this extravagant gift in an act of worship, anointing the feet of the one who would soon reign in heaven as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How do we enter into weekly worship? Mary gives us an example, as we bow before God in gratefulness for the gift of God's Son and our Savior, Jesus.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Lent- John 12:1-8 The Extravagant Gift
What's the most extravagant gift you've ever given? Have you ever given something to someone else that was really over the top, far more than you would typically do? It could have been something of great monetary worth, like a special piece of jewelry, or perhaps a brand new car with a big red bow at Christmas. Or maybe it wasn't so much the monetary worth, but rather the time and energy you put into doing something special. The gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday in Lent is about an extravagant gift. Jesus is at the home of Lazarus. His sisters, Martha and Mary are also present. During the meal, Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, and anointed Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. The smell of the perfume filled the room. The value of the perfume is estimated to be a full year's wages.
What's going on here? I see Mary's extravagant gift as an act of worship. Jesus had already raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Mary knew this was no ordinary man. Mary knew that Jesus was the promised Savior, and that his death was coming soon. The pleasant smell of the perfume is in sharp contrast to the smell of death, present in the tomb of Lazarus and among all the dead. The monetary value of the perfume is nothing in comparison to what Jesus would soon do, give his life for the sins of the world. So Mary gives this extravagant gift in an act of worship, anointing the feet of the one who would soon reign in heaven as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How do we enter into weekly worship? Mary gives us an example, as we bow before God in gratefulness for the gift of God's Son and our Savior, Jesus.
What's going on here? I see Mary's extravagant gift as an act of worship. Jesus had already raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Mary knew this was no ordinary man. Mary knew that Jesus was the promised Savior, and that his death was coming soon. The pleasant smell of the perfume is in sharp contrast to the smell of death, present in the tomb of Lazarus and among all the dead. The monetary value of the perfume is nothing in comparison to what Jesus would soon do, give his life for the sins of the world. So Mary gives this extravagant gift in an act of worship, anointing the feet of the one who would soon reign in heaven as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How do we enter into weekly worship? Mary gives us an example, as we bow before God in gratefulness for the gift of God's Son and our Savior, Jesus.
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I have always been uncomfortable with Jesus' admonition that the poor would always be with us, so this extravagant gift to him was the priority. Isn't giving extravagantly to the poor (as we have been studying in these devotions) actually giving to JESUS???
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