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Lent 5 - 28 March 2004
Well, here we are, already in the fifth Sunday of Lent. It is four and half weeks since we indulged ourselves with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, followed by Ash Wednesday when many of us decided to take on a discipline for the period of lent – whether it was to give something up or to take something on.
Well, have you managed to keep it up for four and half weeks – has it been a struggle at times? I personally, gave up chocolate, and yes, it has been difficult at times. For example, a week or so ago, I went into the Garden Centre and they were giving away Lindt chocolates. Well, my hand went out without even thinking, and then I froze as I realized what I was doing. The temptation was very great and it was extremely hard to refuse. I was annoyed with myself as I thought how much I could have enjoyed that chocolate, but then I remembered as I stood there in the middle of the Garden Centre – just why I had given up chocolate and what Jesus had given up for me. What was a chocolate in comparison?
Lent is not the easiest of times for us as Christians. It is a time when we reflect and meditate on those last days of Jesus – leading up to his suffering and death upon the cross. Jesus knew what lay ahead for him. He knew how he would suffer. He also knew whey he must suffer in such a way. He did that for us.
It doesn’t matter how old we are, how many Easters we have lived through – the impact and the build-up to the suffering of Christ does not lessen. In fact – and I speak from my own personal experience – each year the impact gets greater. Each year my understanding grows a little.
We will never have to suffer in the way Christ did, not only the pain, but also the torture and the public humiliation – we will not have to suffer because he suffered for us.
How did the disciples and others who were with Jesus as the time, feel?
In that final week of his Ministry, he came out of Retreat and went to Bethany to the home of Lazarus for supper. A supper that was in his honour, as he had previously raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus gave this supper as a celebration of the life and work of Jesus. His followers were there, including Mary and Martha, to show their gratitude and joy in his Ministry. They knew that the High Priests and Pharisees had ordered that Jesus’ presence should be reported and that he was to be arrested, but they still welcomed him into their home and celebrated with him.
Throughout his Ministry Jesus was dogged with opposition and hostility – those who thought him a threat to their own popularity and power over the people. There was also hostility towards those who followed Jesus – so it was not the easiest of things to do to openly proclaim and celebrate the goodness of God’s work in Jesus Christ.
And then, - Mary took a bottle of perfume, a fairly large bottle, made from pure oil of Nard, imported from India – a very expensive perfume which would have cost approximate one years earnings for a farm labourer. She removed the top – and the aroma would have filled the room, in fact it would have permeated through the whole house – everyone would have been able to smell it. The response to this would probably have been mixed – but there was no going back, all could smell the perfume. She poured it over Jesus’ feet and then wiped them with her hair. It was an act that could not be ignored.
If you were there – how do you think you would have reacted?
One who objected strongly was Judas Iscariot, who was very quick to condemn the act. Judas – who was about to betray Jesus dared to criticize the act – Judas – who is about to betray Jesus – dared to criticize an act of pure love and devotion. A passionate thanksgiving for a brother’s resurrection. But Jesus condones Mary’s actions and exposes the hypocracy of Judas.
Mary wanted to do the right thing for Jesus and she went ahead and did it – she showed her love in a powerful way, by annointing him with the expensive oil of Nard. This was no whispered thanks in a corner, but an act of which no one could fail to be aware of as they could all smell the perfume. She declared her gratitude and love in front of those present and in such an extravagant way.
How will we show our thanks, gratitude and love for Jesus, for all he has done for us? How often have we held back from any action because of the reactions it might evoke from those around us? Have you ever felt you wanted to say something to promote or maybe to defend your faith, but refrained as the easier option was to say nothing?
Have you ever felt the urge or been drawn to take action, whether life changing or involving minor or temporary measures, but held back because you didn’t know what others say or how they would react?
We should not be afraid to take a chance for God. Everyday we are given opportunities that bring us to a point of decision and it’s up to us whether we choose God’s way or another.
When we reflect over this Lenten period of what God has done for us – the suffering, the pain and the humility of Jesus’ suffering – perhaps we should be more generous and extravagant in return. We don’t need to buy expensive perfumes – but as Mary’s perfume permeated through the house full of guests – perhaps we should allow our gratitude to permeate through to others, and to show our gratitude and love openly and with no holding back for fear of what others might say. |
