Message From Pastor Peggy   Oct 11, 2020

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 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.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
John 12:1-8

“So Mom,” I asked, trying to keep a straight face, “did Dad get you some flowers for your anniversary?” 

I didn’t need to ask the question. I already knew the answer. It would be the same answer as every one of the preceding 60 some anniversaries they shared. There were no flowers, no diamonds, no breakfast in bed. No card. No lunch out. Dad just isn’t the romantic type. 

Mom humphed, and then added, “That would be the day!” to which Dad muttered his quick, “Sure, I can never do anything right” retort.  

Mom then looked at Dad and said, “Just don’t go buying me any flowers when I’m dead. If you can’t buy me flowers when I’m alive I sure don’t want them when I’m dead.” 

I knew my question would prompt some lively debate, but I must admit, Mom made a great point, one I hadn’t considered. Why would Dad spend hundreds on a casket spray when she dies when he never spent twenty dollars on flowers for her when she was alive? Frugal? Cheap? Practical? Inconsiderate? (But in all fairness, Dad did buy Mom white wall tires for Christmas one year for an antique car that he was restoring. A car she only ever drove 20 feet – the day Dad dislocated his hip and couldn’t get the car back into the garage on his own). 

Perhaps that’s why I love the story of Mary anointing Jesus’s feet with pure nard. But first some background information …

It was customary in those days for the heads of important guests to be anointed, but the feet were merely washed with water. According to the IVP Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament, a usual flask would normally contain not more than an ounce. The Greek notes that Mary poured a λίτρα (litra) of pure nard, which would have been about 12 ounces. This fragrant ointment was imported from the Himalayan mountains of India which made it very costly and, as such, preserved for very special occasions and anointings. 

Mary takes not a mere ounce of pure nard, but 12 ounces, the cost of which would be equivalent to a year’s wages. Imagine! (Think of what you make / made in a year. Then imagine going to the bank, withdrawing that amount of money, and buying 12 ounces of perfume).  Mary doesn’t merely sprinkle a little on Christ’s head, but pours it over his feet, the whole 12 ounces, and then wipes his feet with her hair. Jesus himself says, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (John 12:7), but Mary chooses to break the alabaster jar and let the oil run over Christ’s feet in an act of lavish love and devotion to Jesus while he is alive. And Jesus commends her for her actions, exposing the critical, judgemental on-looker in the crowd (John 12:4,5). 

So, you might ask, why am I sharing this particular story with you on this Thanksgiving Sunday? This passage is one typically reserved for Lent for if you skip ahead to the following chapters in John’s gospel, you will read of Christ’s Last Supper with His disciples. You will read of His trial, His crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection. But if you turn back a chapter, (John 11:1-44), you read another story. You will witness Jesus raising Mary’s brother Lazarus from the dead. In the midst of Mary’s deep grief over her brother’s death, she meets Jesus and then walks with him to the place where Lazarus was buried. Jesus asks for the gravestone to be rolled away and then calls Lazarus to come out. And he does. 

Now that puts things in proper perspective!! As Mary sits anointing Jesus’s feet, no doubt she was sitting in deep gratitude for all Christ did for her in raising her beloved brother from the dead. For Mary there could be no expense too great, no act of devotion too extravagant, in light of the blessings that were hers in Christ. 

On this Thanksgiving weekend may you take a moment to reflect on the many blessings Christ has showered upon you. May you take a moment to reflect on the gift of eternal life that is yours in Christ. And as you reflect and remember, may you respond with thanksgiving … may you be lavish in the ways you express your gratitude to God.