Appreciated

Context

The Death of Jesus For US: This week: To be Appreciated

It is just before Passover. The religious authorities have determined to put Jesus to death — for claiming to be the Son of God. The original Passover: God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The New Passover: God’s deliverance of all people from sin through the death of Christ.

Before this great event, Jesus has sought refuge with friends and disciples. He goes to Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. To the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha.

Recall from John 11. Lazarus had died and had been placed in a tomb. But on the fourth day, Jesus commanded the tomb to be opened. Martha and Mary were hesitant. But Jesus was insistent. Jesus said those famous words, “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me will never die.”

So Martha and Mary consented and the tomb was opened. And Jesus called Lazarus back to life and restored him to his sisters.

So, the setting is a dinner. Jesus is at table with his disciples and with Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, and Mary and Martha Lazarus’ sisters are also there.

Reading

John 12:1–8 ESV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Exegesis

Six days before the Passover, on a Saturday, Jesus goes to Bethany.

Jesus is about to enter the last week of his life.

He knows it.

Jesus has gone to the home of friends, along with his disciples.

seeking comfort in his last days.

They gave a dinner for him.

In the midst of close friends, Jesus was likely talking about his immanent death.

Special comfort from his disciples, who were listening to him after Transfiguration.

Comfort from Martha, who affirmed he is the one who would come into the world, who gently served them all.

From Lazarus, one who had died, and who had been brought back to life by Jesus. If anyone could appreciate what Jesus was about to go through it was Lazarus. Now Jesus must trust his heavenly Father to raise him from the dead, just as he himself had raised Lazarus.

They were talking about his death because “therefore” Mary took action. She choose to enact what the men were talking about abstractly.

Mary comes to Jesus with a pound of pure nard.

An ointment extracted from the Nardostachys jatamansi plant found in the Himalayas of India. The distance required to import the ointment to Palestine added to its value. The roots and stems of the plant are used to produce an aromatic oil that serves as a cosmetic, a perfume (Cant. 1:12; 4:13–14), and a stimulant. This expensive ointment was often stored in alabaster boxes and opened only on special occasions, e.g., to anoint people of honor…or death.

Modern equivalent value = $30-50,000

Anoints his feet and wipes his feet with her hair.

At his feet — An unusual location fo anointing. But allows her to be where she wants to be, utterly humble.

Hair — Hair disheveled at times of mourning.

The whole house is filled with the perfume. This word often associated with the smell of incense in the temple worship (Lev. 2:2)

A silence in the space as everyone is trying to register what is the significance?

honor, mourning, worship, adoration, intimate.

Then Judas speaks up. Why wasn’t this sold for the poor? An ugly thing to say. Mary at his feet. Her life’s wealth. For his death. Judas shames. As if he cared for the poor.

Example of Mother Teresa. When we think of caring for the poor, perhaps no other name in modern history comes more readily to mind than Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. They run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; children's and family counseling programs; orphanages; and schools. The unique vow of her religious order is "Wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor". Only rarely would Mother Teresa leave her post beside the destitute and dying.

Imagine if you were invited to one of the rare events that honored Mother Teresa before she died in 1997 and she was in attendance. You are seated at a table with her for a dinner. When the food is served you can easily observe that the food both in quality and portion is more than she is used to — she usually eats only a small bowl of rice. Then a business man across from her says, ‘Why are we eating such a nice meal when there are so many poor people in the world.”

I would say: The poor are always there, she gives her life for the poor, can we not appreciate her for an evening?

Jesus says to Judas: You always have the poor.

It is always the time to be generous, there is also a time for this.

Jesus defends Mary.

Leave her alone.

So that she may keep it for my day of burial. ALT: She “intended to keep it for my burial.”

This nard was designated for my body. But instead of waiting till I am dead, she is using it now. Giving me thanks and honor, when I can know and receive it.

I am not always with you.

Among all the things said to Jesus that night, this enacted form of gratitude probably the most meaningful.

Thank you for what you are going to do. I celebrate you.

Interpretation

Gratitude to God is a marker of God’s people throughout the Bible.

In the OT, gratitude to God was the only condition in which life could be enjoyed and tolerated.

Creation. The Hebrew people thanked him for the magnificence of the universe (Pss 19:1–4; 33:6–9; 104:1–24). Ps. 145:10.

Providence

When they received good news they thanked God for his goodness and great deeds (1 Chr 16:8 “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

When they received bad news, they also gave thanks, trusting that he was a just God (Jb 1:21).

for personal (Ps. 35:18) and national deliverance (Ps. 44:7–8);

for forgiveness of sin (Pss 32:5; 99:8; 103:3; Is 12:1), (Ps. 30:4–5; Isa. 12:1).

for answers to prayer (Pss 28:6; 66:19);

for compassion toward the afflicted and oppressed (Ps. 34:2; 72:12);

for executing justice (Dt 32:4; Ps 99:4);

for continuing guidance (Ps 32:8; Is 30:20, 21).

Gratitude was such a vital part of Israel’s religion that it pervaded ceremonies and traditions.

Thank offerings acknowledged blessings from God (Lv 7:12, 13; 22:29; Ps 50:14).

Shouts of joy (Ps 42:4), songs of praise (145:7; 149:1), and music and dance (150:3–5) all added to the spirit of thanksgiving in worship.

The psalmist valued a song of thanksgiving more than sacrifice (Ps. 69:30–31).

Feasts and festivals were celebrated in remembrance of God’s steadfast love throughout their history (Dt 16:9–15; 2 Chr 30:21, 22).

Pilgrimage to the temple and temple worship were characterized by thanksgiving (Pss. 42:4; 95:2; 100:4; 122:4).

Mary a hinge toward thanks to God in Christ.

In the NT, the object of thanksgiving is the love of God expressed in the redemptive-work of Christ.

for Christ’s deliverance of the believer from sin (Rom. 6:17–18)

For the HS and emergence of the church. Acts 2.

For signs and wonders like healings. Acts 4.

The ability to preach the gospel (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Tim. 1:12) and to receive it.

To suffer (beaten) Acts 5 for Christ.

For the HS given to the Gentiles. Acts 11.

and for the faith of fellow Christians (Rom. 1:8), making them a body, connected to Jesus.

for spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:18).

for God’s indescribable gift of grace in Christ (2 Cor. 9:14–15; 1 Cor. 15:57) an eternal inheritance.

Because the expression of gratitude is tied so closely to the response of faith, Paul encouraged believers to give thanks in all things

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Thanksgiving at the end of time when God destroys the kingdom of Evil: Rev. 11:17;

One of the distinguishing characteristics of God’s people in the OT, in the NT, and among us, is to be grateful.

Gratitude is pervasive In the Bible. Good times. Bad times. Past. Present. Future.

should be among us today.

gratitude is secure anchor for us Christians because of Jesus’ cross. It cannot be moved. Even if there were nothing else good to look toward in life, we can be grateful. Because of the cross.

Jesus is with us in our suffering. Gratitude.

We will be with him in his resurrection. Gratitude.

And like Mary, we respond with words, songs, with prayers and praise, and with action!

Application

gratitude is not so far away. Jesus is not far away. Here in the spirit.

Cultivate thanksgiving.

rehearse the story.

As Mary listened in the room. We rehearse in worship. Focus on what Jesus has done.

Pray for increased gratitude.

since what Jesus has done is known by faith, we pray for faith. Spiritual gratitude.

Enact.

mary gave ointment. We give time, talent, resources. Concrete expreasions of gratitude.

When Christian is remember: he was smart, strong, he was trustworthy…he/she was “grateful” should make the list. Christ would like to describe us as grateful.

Conclusion