Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – Lent Three, Bystanders on the Way to the Cross

“You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she has just done is going to be remembered and admired.”   (Matthew 26: 6 -13, The Message Bible)

            What is the most extravagant thing that you ever did for another person? An expensive gift?  A classy gesture of appreciation? An over-the-top expression of praise or approval? Was it your spouse or partner, a child, a grandchild, your pastor, a fellow-worker or maybe a complete stranger?

Have you ever thanked the grocery store clerk who checks out your groceries? What about the mechanic who fixes your car?  Or perhaps, it’s the guy who digs out your drive-way after a big snow storm.  We once brought in a plate of Christmas baking to the staff of our animal hospital, a small gesture for the caring way they  have always treated our dogs.  Not only is it about tipping our hair dresser, waitress, the pharmacist, the take-out delivery driver and the like, but doing a little extra in demonstrating our gratitude, something that says we noticed them and appreciated their efforts for us. Sometimes, it is just taking the time to learn and remember their names.

The Gospel of John identifies the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with a very expensive bottle of perfume as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. All the Gospels tell the story, confirming what Jesus said of her that she is going to be remembered and admired for her generous and tender act of service to Jesus.

Yet others criticized her for her actions. Perhaps, sounding just a touch high and mighty, the disciples complained that the perfume could have been sold for a princely sum and the money given to the poor. It is hard to argue against their disagreement in some ways. The poor we always have with us, and it is so very hard to keep up with their needs and necessities of life and provide for their on-going welfare. Every little bit helps. Jesus understands that this work of charity never ends and will continue to be a main focus of his followers long after he is gone. Jesus is  not giving up on the poor, but receives Mary’s gift as an act of love,  mercy and compassion in light of the sacrifice he is about to make.

Many of us find it hard to receive a gift, a compliment, praise, or congratulations. I know I can be that way, sometimes.  It seems almost un-Christian to enjoy another’s kudos,  showing instead a lack of humility or a danger of becoming proud or boastful. But Jesus graciously accepts Mary’s gift. Although I doubt that she was looking for fame and admiration in the moment, Jesus openly expresses his gratitude and recognizes her effort.

If you or I do something good, then we should graciously accept the credit and allow ourselves to feel good about it.

The other complainers, at least, in Luke’s Gospel, were the other guests at the meal. It doesn’t seem to be Mary in his gospel but a woman off the streets in every sense of the word. The dinner guests are appalled  at the gall of the women and even more disgusted that Jesus would let a woman like her touch him so intimately.  I have certainly had to deal with Christians throughout my ministry who were greatly disturbed by the street folk who came into our worship services, especially if they were taking communion, grabbing bread with their dirty and unwashed hands.

Jesus tells them a parable about extreme and generous forgiveness (Luke 7: 41 -42). I wonder if they got it. But the woman goes away accepted, forgiven and born anew. She is living out Jesus’ promise: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6: 38, New Living Translation)

This woman, whoever she was, demonstrated her compassion for Jesus in a real and tangible way, a very expensive way. She will always be remembered and admired for her boldness, her generosity, her determination, her resolve to show Jesus what he meant to her. She faced her criticized and those who judged her. She went the extra mile and despite scorn and ridicule, she found Jesus and worshiped him at his feet.

“And Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” (Luke 7:50, The Message)

I am sure those words to her were worth every drop of perfume, and then some. May we all be so blessed this Lenten season.

Dale