Monday, March 7, 2016

The Prophet Mary

This week, our gospel lesson comes from John 12:1-8, where Mary anoints Jesus. She was doing this to prepare him for his burial, because Jesus' time on earth was running out. Jesus had recently raised Lazaurus from death to life, and he was anticipating his pilgrimage into Jerusalem (what we call "Palm Sunday").

Imagine the scene that Mary and Jesus were in. There was Martha, who had recently made the supreme confession of faith (John 11:27 "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world"). There was Lazarus, whom Jesus wept over, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and who was now trying to figure out how to live the rest of his resurrection life. There was Mary, who sat as Jesus' feet and learned from him (she is also the "ideal disciple" of Luke 10:38-42). This dinner party resembles the many Jesus' attended throughout his ministry, and foreshadows the Last Supper with his disciples.

Mary took the expensive perfume and anointed Jesus' feet with it, brushing or wiping them with her far.This was an extravagant act of devotion. This was also an example of sacrifice, a great example to those there at the house, and to us today. Further, this was also a prophetic act, signaling Jesus' immanent death, anointing him beforehand for burial. This was the traditional act done for those being prepared for burial. Mary, then, could accept and understand what Peter and the other disciples could not: the death of their Master and Messiah. Here was also the action of the ideal disciple: the washing of feet. Jesus received from her what he would soon offer to his disciples as told in John 13.

If you're like me, when you hear the word "prophetic," you think of words. Many times, this is the case. The Old Testament is full of prophets speaking prophetically to their community. Christians can be prophetic by saying the right thing at the right time at the right place to the right people. How, then, is Mary's action at this dinner party prophetic?...


Because it told the truth. Her action was the correct response to the truth she knew about what would happen to Jesus. Although I am sure that this was a hard truth to handle, she did not suppress or ignore it, she lived into it. 

And she was right. Jesus did ultimately go to Jerusalem to die. But then he was raised from the dead. Now, we have the opportunity to "anoint" Jesus everyday by our actions, whether they be works of mercy (e.g. serving), works of piety (e.g. devotion or prayer), or by our words, the truth we tell that witnesses to the love of God. Today, you may do what Mary did. You might not have expensive oil or long hair, but you do have the means to worship Christ: a heart that knows the truth of his love and sacrifice for us. Thanks be to God!

How will you be like Mary this week?

Prayer:

Everlasting God, 
because of your tender mercy toward all people, 
you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, 
to take upon himself our flesh,
and to suffer death upon the cross,
that all should follow the example of his great humility.
Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of his patience
and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(The Book of Common Prayer, U.S.A., 20th century, alt.)


In Christ,

Jack

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