From Mark 14:3-9
While Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked her harshly.
'Leave her alone,' said Jesus, ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.'
Where Jesus sees love Judas and others see waste. What a waste of resources! What might have been done with a year's wages? I mean any church I know would be grateful for say £15,000-£30,000 gift to help the poor, do mission or cover some project.
Yet Jesus defends her. He recognises the sacrifice she made, the love and the beauty of the moment! He recognises the significance of it.
I wonder as we consider mission planning if we have got stuck in the pit where the smell is dank and unpleasant? This wee tale is insignificant and yet Jesus says it will be told throughout history. What story would be told about my congregation, your congregation? Would we be see as difficult, obstinate, greedy or would we be seen as loving, extravagant and spiritually aware?
Throughout the Church of Scotland we are seeing places where congregations have taken painful opportunities, given all they have to offer and poured it out for Jesus. And they must be commended. Indeed their stories should be shared and offered to others to encourage and inspire. Those places where the reality of death has been grasped, the burial taken place and from the grain of wheat buried life has sprung again. Mary has spiritual awareness that Jesus recognised. Are we spiritually aware?
It is said that when you point the finger at others, four point back at you. There is much to our current times that is heartbreaking. But, and this will not be popular, there is much that is self-inflicted. Too many of us are judging others and seeing ourselves as the ones in the right. We do not play nice. We know from other stories about Judas that he stole from the common purse. So are we guilty of looking after our own interests? We cannot see the bigger picture. We want to protect our space, our traditions, our presence, indeed we are terrified of becoming obsolete. And we don’t want to lose our power, our place or our income.
However, Jesus saw not just an act of worship but a preparation for burial-his burial. Talk about seeing the bigger picture! There is no doubting that change is here to stay. Indeed death looms ominously as we wonder who will flourish. (I do miss the days when we planned for flourishing ministries and healthy congregations but hey ho.)
I wonder would Jesus rush to defend our actions like he did for Mary?
If Jesus sat at our conversations would he defend some and rebuke others?
In Holy Week we are reminded that all are equal in the sight of God. And it won't be long before we we reminded of the Great Commission. I pray we make it that far without imploding. Let's be extravagant in our love for Jesus, just as he was for Mary. When he could have rebuked the waste, he valued the person and the gift. No matter how little we have to offer Jesus knows the value and the spirit with which it is offered. Maybe if we saw him as the recipient we'd find a shift in our perspective. And we’d be less worried about ourselves and more focussed on Christ. After the world will always have a church…just maybe not as we know it.
Easter peace.
Love Sarah
No comments:
Post a Comment