Lenten Devotional for Tuesday March 27, 2007

Based on John 12:1-8

It was an extravagant gift: pure nard. A gift reserved for only the most special of occasions. Mary doesn’t use it sparingly either. In a dramatic act, she pours the whole pint on Jesus’ feet and wipes them clean with her hair. The house will smell of this act of devotion for a long time.

I’m sure there were many reactions to this action by those in the room that night. Some were probably uncomfortable because it was so personal. Some were probably moved to tears, overwhelmed by the generosity and love shown in this moment. Maybe Judas felt one of these emotions at first, or maybe he just jumped straight into a jealous and judgmental attitude guised as a practical concern for the poor. In the midst of this holy moment he asks, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?”

If we want to give him the benefit of the doubt, we can agree that this is a question that should be raised anytime excessive amounts of money are spent. A few weeks ago the Confirmation class visited Wise Temple and St. Peter in Chains Cathedral. Several in the group raised this same sort of question as they looked around at the beautiful but lavish spaces.

The answer clearly given at the cathedral was that those who built the worship space believed it was essential to make that space the most beautiful they could as a sign that they were giving God their best. The space they worship God in should be more beautiful and cost more than our luxury homes, resorts, and corporate offices.

Isn’t it strange how we often ask this question about how money is spent when it comes to the church and yet we don’t always think about asking it about the extravagant gifts we give to ourselves or others in the more worldly aspects of our lives? Somehow it is so much easier to convince ourselves that we deserve it, we have earned it, and that we give God and the poor enough. Judas’ question seems to be one of self-deception. If it was his nard, I’m not convinced he would have given it to Jesus or the poor.

Jesus’ answer to Judas reminds us that this is a tension we must struggle with regularly in our lives. Where and how will we give our money? Mary was doing the right and God honoring thing in that moment. But the poor will always be with us and have needs. Giving to them can also be a God honoring extravagant gift.

Perhaps the final verdict comes down to the attitude we have in giving. Are we like Mary, giving the best we have to God in response to an understanding of the extravagant gift God has given us in Jesus Christ? He has restored our lives.

Or are we like Judas, jealous and judgmental of another gift when we would only consider spending that amount on ourselves or our family members?

Are we giving God our best? God has given us His: extravagant grace through Jesus Christ. Grace beyond anything we could ever earn or deserve: resurrection life. How will we respond?

Prayer: God teach us to always give you our best so that we might honor you with all that we have and all that we are. In Jesus name, Amen.



John 12:1-8

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."