The Girl Who Listened

The Girl Who Listened

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Scripture:

John 12:1–8 NRSV

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

INTRODUCTION:

We have all had experiences where memories are triggered by certain smells. When you entered today, I hope you caught of whiff of something that triggered good thoughts. Often times good baking scents bring a feeling of well being. The olfactory bulb that runs from the nose to the bottom of the brain is connected to both the amygdala and the hippocampus, the parts of the brain that are associated with emotion and memory. The other senses don’t directly touch these parts of the brain so do not have the same effect.

Since scent can have such a pleasing and memory making effect, there are various times we use it to bring about good feelings. Brides are often encouraged to wear a signature scent on the wedding day, in order to evoke memories of her wedding whenever she wears it afterward. When we anoint people for healing, we often use oils that have a strong and different scent so as the person anointed goes through their day, they are reminded of the healing prayer prayed over them. There are also other more natural scents that we associate with good times. Such as the smell of cloves, cranberries, and orange that can so naturally transport us to Christmas mornings. Or the smell of fall leaves on a cool morning might transport you to Friday night football games in high school. The smell of freshly baked cookies may evoke images of your grandmother. The smell of baby lotion may bring you back to the days when your children were infants. For me, the true first day of spring is when I walk out of the house and smell the rich strong order of most, warm dirt telling me that spring flowers are just around the corner.

Smell triggers memory more than any of the other senses. The olfactory bulb that runs from the nose to the bottom of the brain is connected to both the amygdala and the hippocampus, the parts of the brain that are associated with emotion and memory. The other senses don’t directly touch these parts of the brain.

Many people understand the profound ways that scent triggers memory. Brides are often encouraged to wear a signature scent on the wedding day, in order to evoke memories of her wedding whenever she wears it afterward.

You may know that scent evokes memory from your own experience. The smell of cloves, cranberries, and orange may transport you to Christmas morning when you were a child. The smell of fall leaves on a cool morning might transport you to Friday night football games in high school. The smell of freshly baked cookies may evoke images of your grandmother. The smell of baby lotion may bring you back to the days when your children were infants.

However, smells can have the reverse effect. Ash Wednesdays we use oils that are strong to remind us of sin, sacrifice and death. There is a distinct smell as we approach this text, and that smell is death. This story comes on the heels of Lazarus’s resurrection. When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, the people were concerned about the smell. They were worried that if the tomb was opened the stench of rot, the pungent smell of death, would waft out. Instead of death, however, life came out of the tomb.

But Lazarus’s death is not the only death still lingering in the air. Jesus’s death is just six short days away. The section of Scripture that immediately precedes this one is of the plot to kill Jesus beginning to come together. Jesus knows this, even if others in the room don’t, and the smell of approaching death must hang heavy in the atmosphere—until Mary changes the fragrance of the room. The aroma of perfume permeates each corner with a new scent. The scent of gratitude at the return of her brother and the one who performed the miracle that brought his return. The scent of celebration that Lazarus was here in the room, and over the life and glory of Jesus. The scent of resurrection in the midst of death. The scent of lavish love poured out for her Savior.

2 APRIL 7, 2019FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Bow your heads with me as we pray before we begin.

Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.

At the center of our story today is Jesus. He had done the most amazing thing of all. He raised a man from the dead. If Jesus did not have people’s attention before now, He sure did now. He had done something no man had done before. He cried forth to a man four days rotting in a grave and the man came forth. Word spread like wild fire. Simon, previously a leper whom Jesus had healed proposed a dinner in Jesus honor. Lazarus was also a guest. Martha was to prepare the meal. We have no way of knowing who Simon was or what was his relationship was to Lazarus. We gather that he was a previous leper. He must not have had a wife to prepare the meal since Martha was serving. This may have been due to his previous leprous state. Most likely he was either a relative or a very close friend of Lazarus and his sisters. Whatever the case may be, he puts on this dinner in honor of Jesus.

So Jesus is the center

The next two key players in this story are Mary, Lazarus’ younger sister and Judas. To begin, I wish us to take a look at Mary.

I. Mary of Bethany

permeates each corner with a new scent. The scent of gratitude at the return of her brother and the one who performed the miracle that brought his return. The scent of celebration that Lazarus was here in the room, and over the life and glory of Jesus. The scent of resurrection in the midst of death. The scent of lavish love poured out for her Savior. BODY

Mary is not unknown to us. She has been a key player in a couple of stories; one fraught with sibling rivalry and the other with grief.

The first time we really see Mary, she is sitting at Jesus feet listening intently. Hanging on His every word. You see, her hearts desire was to be...

a. A disciple

She is motivated more by her desire to know Jesus than she is by propriety. Of course, this got her in trouble with her sister Martha. Martha was her older sister. She would probably be more like a mother to Mary the absence of their mother. Martha would expect Mary to be helping her as was the proper thing to do. After all, women weren’t disciples of rabbis. It just was not done!

1. Mary’s Motivation a. In we get a bit more of a glimpse into who Mary is. i. She is a disciple of Jesus. ii. She is motivated more by her desire to know Jesus than she is by propriety. 1. At the time it would be the expectation that she help Martha with the chores; that would have been her duty and responsibility. 2. Women weren’t disciples of rabbis, and her desire and pursuit of discipleship (as well as Jesus’s allowance of her discipleship) was countercultural.

However, Jesus had a different opinion. He rebuked Martha and said for Mary to stay. Jesus was never tied by convention, but lived counter-culturally. Especially where women were concerned.

The next thing we notice about Mary is that she is...

b. Motivated by love

Mary’s love for Jesus allowed her to hear the things others missed. Women notice things men do not notice. Jesus was in a crowd of people in a festive affair and He is trying to tell them that a change is coming. An ill wind blows and His life will be shortly cut off, but no one understands…but Mary does. She will see the lonely, sad look around the eyes despite the festive environment. Perhaps she sees a slight tremor in His hand or that His voice catches slightly as He talks about the Passover coming up the next week. Whatever it is, she knows and her heart is moved out of love but how can she show Him she understands?

That is when we see that Mary is a...

c. Woman of action

She remembers the bottle of nard that she owns. It would have been a jar looking somewhat like this one, but a little larger, holding 12 - 18 oz of oil that came from the Himalaya’s. We do not know how she came by it. Perhaps she purchased it for a special occasion or it was left over from what they bought to prepare Lazarus’ body. It was costly. It would have cost the average day laborer more than a full years salary. Her family was one of some substance, but still as a woman of the house it was a sacrifice for her to buy it.

She ran to retrieve it. Without any hesitation she broke the seal and began to pour the oil over His feet. All that mattered in that moment was that He know she understood and she loved Him for all He had done for them. She wanted Him to know before it was too late. Then she realized in that moment that she had not brought a towel but without skipping a beat, she let down her long tresses and began to dry his feet with them.

In that moment we see a woman who...

d. Risks all for her Savior

It was not only the expense, but her very reputation was on the line.

i. There was a specific law that prohibited women and men who were not related from touching each other.

i. There was a specific law that prohibited women and men who were not related from touching each other. 1. This law is called “negiah,” and it comes from Leviticus (18:6 and 18:19). The Talmud expands upon this. 2. Women and men were not allowed to touch unless they were married, parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and children. 3. This means that women and men were not alone to even shake hands, let alone touch one another’s feet with their hair. ii. Mary risked both her own and Jesus’s reputation by touching Jesus. 1. We often focus on the expense of the perfume, but just the act of touching Jesus would have been scandalous. 2. This act is very sensual, and the Jews around them would have viewed it as inappropriate. c. Mary is willing to illustrate her love for Jesus through sacrifice and service. i. She spent a large sum of money. 1. The perfume she purchased was expensive. 2. She didn’t use just part of the perfume on him; she used all of it. ii. The act of washing feet was for lowly servants. 1. This was not a glamorous task because feet were the number-one mode of transportation. 2. Washing Jesus’s feet would have implicated Mary’s desire to serve Jesus.

1. This law is called “negiah,” and it comes from Leviticus (18:6 and 18:19). The Talmud expands upon this.

2. Women and men were not allowed to touch unless they were married, parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and children.

3. This means that women and men were not alone to even shake hands, let alone touch one another’s feet with their hair.

ii. Mary risked both her own and Jesus’s reputation by touching Jesus.

1. This act is very sensual, and the Jews around them would have viewed it as inappropriate.

2. This act could have branded Mary’s reputation for life, perhaps even preventing another man from receiving her as a wife. Yet she was willing to take the risk, to show Jesus that she understood and loved Him.

And finally we see Mary...

e. The humble servant

There are many evidences that Lazarus and his family were people of some means. However, through this action Mary takes the position of servant. And not just any servant, but the lowliest of servants.

i. The act of washing feet was for lowly servants.

1. This was not a glamorous task because feet were the number-one mode of transportation.

2. Washing Jesus’s feet would have implicated Mary’s desire to serve Jesus. It was not a sensual act as some may say, but it was an act of contrition and servanthood. It was a pledge to be His servant no matter what. Her service to our Lord, left a beautiful scent in the air around them.

But then this beautiful act was marred by our next character.

II. Judas Iscariot

Judas was one of the inner twelve of Jesus circle. He declared himself a servant, however, Judas was not what he appeared. He seems to be oblivious to what Mary is about until the aroma of the oil reaches him. His mind, ever focused on money, quickly calculates the cost of such. He criticizes Mary for her action. He even gets other disciples worked up about it declaring it could have been sold and the funds go to people in need.

Judas, the one disciple who never really understood. The one disciple who in the end lost everything. His character is decidedly lacking next to this young woman who risked everything. In Judas we find...

a. Selfishness

He never cared for anyone but himself. It is difficult to understand how he came to be with Jesus in the first place. Perhaps it was for the notoriety. We all know such people. They are the ones to push in to get next to anyone famous. They become what they think they need to be to be received. The brown-nosers if you will. That was Judas. Where Mary acted out of love, Judas...

b. Acts out of greed

He was not concerned for the poor. He is only concerned for his poor pockets. You see he...

c. Serves Jesus for personal gain

We know this because the author tells us so. Somewhere along the way, after the fact, it became apparent that he was pilfering from the money box they carried. Somehow this weasel worked himself into the position of treasurer. Yet, he was not as faithful as they all had thought. Perhaps it was discovered by whomever resumed his duties after his betrayal. However it came about, Luke makes a side note stating that he helped himself from the funds in this box. The knowledge of these facts show that he is also...

d. A thief and a liar

That is why he was so angry with Mary’s action. It was more money he could use to fill his pockets. But Judas was even worse than all these things, as bad as they are. Judas was...

e. A betrayer

Judas had one thing in common with Mary. He saw the end coming also. Yet unlike Mary, he was going to use it to his own advantage. A reward has been offered. He sees is ticket out of here as well as a means to make a fair profit. Is days are numbered in this group. He definitely sees that now and he determines to go through with his plans.

Mary willfully sacrifices reputation and money to care for Jesus. However, Judas, while being given the opportunity to be a disciple and learn from Jesus, is still seeking to look out for himself. Unlike the beautiful aroma that Mary brings to the story, Judas amplifies the scent of death and destruction, by looking out for himself at the expense of others.

Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.

And now we come to our central character...

2. Contrasting Judas with Mary a. Judas is motivated by selfish gain. i. and both reference Judas’s plan to betray Jesus. 1. He betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver ii. John calls Judas a thief. 1. Judas cared for the common purse. a. He stole from the purse.

III. Jesus

iii. Judas does not care for the poor; he cares for himself. 1. He sees this as a lost opportunity to acquire more money. 2. He is focused on himself, and not on sacrifice for Jesus. b. Judas does not act out of service and love. i. Mary willfully sacrifices reputation and money to care for Jesus. ii. Judas, while being given the opportunity to be a disciple and learn from Jesus, is still seeking to look out for himself. c. Judas in this story is amplifying the scent of death and destruction, by looking out for himself at the expense of others.

What is His response to all this?

“Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

He exonerates Mary and her action. He verifies to her what she is understanding. Yet still, the crowd around them do not understand. Jesus brings a scent all His own to this story. It is...

1. The Conquering Scent

a. Even though the smell of Lazarus’s death still lingers, Lazarus is alive and in the room.

i. This is a foreshadowing of resurrection hope.

b. The smell of gratitude and love are overwhelming.

i. Even though Judas seeks to turn the conversation toward one that looks proper, it reeks of sin.

ii. His “care” for the poor is just a cover for his own misdeeds.

iii. Even so, the focus of the story is on the wafting scents of gratitude and love.

1. Mary is written as the heroine.

2. She is applauded by Jesus for her act of love and sacrifice.

3. Even though according to the law she was the one who acted improperly, Jesus again reinterprets the law, elevating love over propriety.

c. While Jesus’s death looms, his love and resurrection are the highlight.

i. The nard alludes to his death because it is a perfume usually used in burial.

1. Jesus says she bought it to use for his burial, but instead of saving it, she chooses to use it in this moment.

ii. According to the other Gospels, and the previous chapter in John, the plot to kill Jesus was already underway.

2. Jesus knows he is going to die

i. Even though the disciples still don’t seem to fully understand, it is likely they have heard the threats of Herod, the warnings from the Pharisees, and the whisperings of violent revolution that the leaders were afraid of.

2. Even though the disciples still don’t seem to fully understand, it is likely they have heard the threats of Herod, the warnings from the Pharisees, and the whisperings of violent revolution that the leaders were afraid of.

Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.

3. Jesus is the epitome of self-giving love

2. Even though the disciples still don’t seem to fully understand, it is likely they have heard the threats of Herod, the warnings from the Pharisees, and the whisperings of violent revolution that the leaders were afraid of.

i. This act of self-giving love is the highlight, and the room is permeated with it.

1. Ultimately the focus of this text is on both the love Jesus has for Mary and the love Mary has for Jesus.

However, there is a fourth character in this story. It is...

IV. You and Me

1. Our lives can be a fragrant offering

a. We should have the same level of discipleship as Mary.

i. We should follow love as the law.

ii. We should seek to embrace Jesus and others over legalism.

iii. We should do what we can to get as close as possible to Jesus.

b. We should pour out our lives as a sacrifice for Christ.

i. Lent is a season of sacrifice, but it’s not sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice.

ii. We should find ways to extravagantly lavish love upon Jesus through our acts of sacrifice.

c. We should reach out to the poor and the lost.

The last part of the text that talks about the poor always being with us is not an excuse to not care for the poor.

i. It seems that the opposite is actually true. Jesus emphasizes that he is not always with them, but we know Jesus speaks to what is done to the least of these as being done to him.

1. This would imply that, while Jesus isn’t with us, the extravagant acts of love we do for one another, and especially for the least of these, are acts of profound love done for Jesus.

2. However, the poor are not the only ones who need our love. Many are not poor, but are lost, drifting through life with no hope. We have a call on our lives to reach out to them in love also.

d. We should permeate the world with the hope of resurrection.

d. We should permeate the world with the hope of resurrection.

i. Though death often hangs in our air, what would it take to see the world permeated with the fragrance of hope?

CONCLUSION:

This Lenten season, we should take the time to permeate the world with the hope of resurrection. The scent of death often hangs heavy in our world. It doesn’t take long to find examples of that.

It’s easy to become cynical or even self-motivated, to care more for ourselves than for Jesus and others. It’s easy to fall into the lies that Judas did and cover our own selfish motives with words about seeking the well-being of others. It is a hard but good task to sacrifice for Christ in the ways of Mary. To care more about our love for Christ than for legalistic rule-following.

This season, we should seek a heart like Mary’s. We should seek to fall at the feet of Jesus, to worship wholeheartedly with love and gratitude, that the world might experience hope in such profound ways that they can smell it. Just like Mary’s bottle, just like Jesus life, we should be broken and spilled out for others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1tUvtfuxAI

Broken and Spilled Out

Pray

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Copyright © 2018 The Foundry Publishing. Permission to print, distribute, and copy for church use only. All rights reserved.