Tuesday, March 17

Scripture: John 12:1-8
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.”

MARY OF BETHANY: ALL IN

Just who was this woman Mary and what was she after? These are the questions we ask as we reflect on this passage. There has long been debate among historians and theologians on the identity of the woman described here. She remains nameless in Matthew and Mark, and Luke simply calls her a woman of the streets- a prostitute. John, however, calls her Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who was Jesus’ friend and the man he raised from the dead.

Regardless of her true identity, this woman is moved to perform a great act of sacrifice, spilling out expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet. What an intimate gesture, and in front of observers who were likely made to feel uncomfortable, if not outraged that this woman was touching Jesus, a respected teacher, friend, and their Messiah.

As Rachel Held Evans points out in a blog post about women of the passion, Mary is “all in.” The oil may have originally been meant for her own burial, or the burial of a family member. Yet she doesn’t hold anything back. Kneeling before him, she pours every drop over Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. Perhaps she is remembering and giving thanks for her brother’s resurrection. As a single woman, Lazarus provided for Mary and her sister, Martha. Without him she was possibly destitute. Or perhaps she was that prostitute, begging for forgiveness for the life she led, or even imploring Jesus for a way out of a profession that has ostracized her from family and society.

Even more compelling is Jesus’ response. He sees her for who she really is, and yet he does not reject her or recoil from her, but reaches out to fully welcome her generous act. This scene is powerfully portrayed in the artwork. One can imagine Jesus pulling the woman into his arms for an embrace, likely to the dismay of onlookers. And he doesn’t stop there. He silences Judas, who insists that the money spent on the ointment would have been better spent elsewhere. Jesus won’t let anyone tell Mary that her sacrifice is not worthy or deserving of his welcome. What a beautiful affirmation of this woman and her surrender to Jesus. She is all in, holding nothing back, and Christ meets her with compassion and acceptance.

PRAYER
Lord God, Thank you for the witness of Mary and the example she set as a disciple of Jesus, willing to give all she had. Show us how to fully surrender all of ourselves to you. In our brokenness, accept our meager sacrifices with loving and open arms.
Amen.

Laura Igram, Director of Student Programing & Advisor to Associated Students