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.”In a sense Judas was right, or at least understandable, in objecting to this ostentatious display. Not only was that perfume costly, Mary was touching Jesus intimately. Wiping his feet with her hair? Really? I don't know about you, but that hasn't happened at many dinner parties I've attended! The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume and the glow of this daring act.
But the Bible makes clear that Judas' objection wasn't based on any greater concerns, just on his own needs. He wanted the perfume sold so he could take the money. Things didn't go his way. He didn't benefit. So he complained about a woman doing the best she could to love Jesus.
That unfortunate impulse remains with us today. People show their love for God in many different ways. During the sermon I related a former trend in church which I found puzzling: liturgical dance. This little craze swept through a church I attended before I became a pastor. People would get up, turn on music, and dance in white dresses with streamers. I didn't get it. It seemed like a waste of time to me. Why couldn't that five minutes been spent in prayer or service or singing another hymn?
Being older and wiser I now understand that the Spirit was working through those dancers. They were expressing their gifts, trying to send a Godly message to us. This was their moment to show how God's Spirit moved them. I was just too dense and self-centered to see it. I was Judas.
Today I would probably appreciate liturgical dance a lot more. If somebody wanted to do it in our church the answer would be, YES!!! It'd be exciting, touching, moving...if nothing else for the sake of the dancers sharing their love.
But then again, I've learned one of the lessons of this gospel. You have to let people love Jesus the way they're going to love Jesus. The world doesn't need your judgment as much as your support. Just because you don't understand the way a person expresses their love for God doesn't make it bad. Maybe God likes it! Not being God yourself, you can never be sure.
Besides, you'll get your chance to love your way too. As Jesus says, "You will always have the poor among you." You'll be able to do what you want. Just make room for others to do the same.
Don't stand in the way of love and its many forms. When you do, you become like Judas...robbing something that's supposed to be for the good of the world, turning it inwards for your own, selfish benefit. Let people dance. Let perfume be spilled. Sing those crazy songs that other people enjoy even if it's not your style. Learn to appreciate God through someone else's eyes and expressions. That way he gets bigger and bigger, filling up more of your world as you discover new ways to love him.
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--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)
What a lovely message! Thank you.
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