The Perfume of Preparation

No one would have expected for Mary to bring out the most expensive perfume she could afford and pour it over Jesus’ feet. Least of all, to brush the excess of his feet with her own hair.

The smell of the perfume must have filled the whole house.

For Judas, it was an act of unjustifiable waste.

Even in Greek culture it was an “unheard-of piece of luxury” to have a servant apply ointment while reclining at the table. – Petronius (1st Century C.E.)

How we treat people shows others how much we value them.

Taken at face value, Judas was right.

Look at our passage from Deuteronomy. It is foundational to understanding what God requires from his people. Care and mercy for the poor.

But Jesus did not devalue the poor and needy, but had called them “Blessed”

As Jesus indicated, that was not Judas’ intention.

He cared more about the money than the people.

Judas’ attitude stuck.

Judas was described as both a disciple and a thief, as some who follow Christ but eventually walk away.

Jesus reveals Mary’s intention to Judas, who was blind to it.

Mary purchased something of great monetary value, the perfume, to impart to Jesus an outward sign of the value she placed in him.

Mary showed Jesus devotion and love through application of the perfume, intimate touch and care for his body.

Mary was showing thankfulness for Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead.

For Mary, it was an act of pure love/appreciate/worship.

Her act was justified by the love she showed Jesus.

Jesus would not allow her to be shamed by Judas.

While they prepared for Passover, it was time to prepare for what Jesus must do.

Mary did not know that she was also preparing Jesus for his burial.

By providence, God arranged Mary to prepare Jesus’ body for what he must do to save us all.

While Jesus did not devalue people who were poor, he did contrast himself with them.

By providence of free will, there are always people who are poor, either by consequence of disobedience to God’s equalizing Jubilee or by consequence of others.

There was time to care for people who are poor; there was very little time to care for Jesus in this way.

As Mary had chosen to learn from Jesus when she could, she chose the better way to show her “Lord” and “Teacher” her devotion and love.

God prepares us by his Spirit, so that we might love God and others more fully.

When we love God as God loves us, we love extravagantly and outwardly; not to make a show of it, but to show who/what we love by our words & actions.

When we live to please God with our whole selves, we trust that God will take care of us and others.

Many times, God takes care of others through us.

Not as gatekeepers but as caretakers to what God first gave us.

The Perfume of Preparation

Jesus was wanted by the Romans because of his growing following.

This was a meal for a special occasion.

One could imagine Jesus and his disciples reclining, eating a fine meal.