So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” John 2:18-25

“Never Not Praying”
“…for he himself knew what was in everyone.” G-d knows what is in our heart, what is in our mind, what is in our thoughts. In fact, G-d, the Father Son and Holy Spirit, knows all people. Is that a scary thought or a thought of overwhelming comfort? It comforts me to know that G-d knows my needs, and my desires, and my worries, of course before I even can anticipate them for myself. Yet, how awesome is the thought that G-d knows what is in me, deep down in the very essence of who I am—all of the bad along with the good. I pray each night for the people of this congregation and the people that I know who are in need. Yet, I am strangely comforted knowing that for G-d, my prayers are simply repeating what G-d already knows. And I continue to be comforted knowing that G-d knows me so well – for it is only through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that I can continue in ministry each and every day.

Just because G-d knows what is in each one of us does not mean we do not continue to go to G-d in prayer. Prayer keeps us in the conversation—keeps the communication open, which keeps our hearts open as well.

Let us Pray,
Lord you do know all things. But you ask us to come to you any way, in prayer, in praise, and in communion. Help me to remember my prayers and to pray them with my whole heart, mind and soul. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:1-8

So, our question this Sunday is “What is Discipleship?”
Let me ask you another question: What does discipleship smell like?
That may sound like an odd question, but let me explain. The anointing of Jesus occurs in all four of the Gospels, which is rare. Now, they all have some similarities, but they also have some significant differences. IN the Synoptic Gospels (Matt, Mk and Lk), the woman in the story remains nameless. Luke identifies her as a “sinful” woman—but otherwise she remains nameless. But in the Gospel of John, she is identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus—the one Jesus just raised from the dead. The perfume she opens is not named in the Gospel of Luke—but in Matthew, Mark and John it is identified as “Real Nard”. What is Nard? Also called Spikenard, it has a unique fragrance. It was considered so valuable, we would refer to it today as the “gold standard”. The presence of its aroma was an indication that the very best had been offered. We know that this perfume was used in the burial rite – so it was a powerful smelling perfume—this is why we are told in the text that it filled the entire house with its fragrance.

In this Gospel, the gospel of John, the anointing of Jesus comes right after the raising of Lazarus—which is significant. Just six days ago Lazarus was stinking up the place in his death. Of course, we all know that death stinks – both in a physical and in a meta-physical way. But Lazarus was raised, like Jesus will be raised—and Mary is covering up the stink of death (both Lazarus and Jesus) by thanking Jesus with the odor of this fragrant perfume. And it is not just any perfume, but one used for burial—the gold standard for burials.
So, we see here that Mary’s devotion defies both custom and expectations. It defies custom because neither Jesus nor Lazarus are dead. It also defies custom because she used the entire bottle, probably her dowry (because it was so expensive) all at one time. Not only Judas but I imagine all of the disciples would have been upset about the waste of such a precious commodity. It was extravagantly wasteful, like the Prodigal Father was extravagantly wasteful with his forgiveness and love. Her actions defy expectations because she could have anointed Jesus with plain water—washing his feet and drying them with her hair. But cost did not matter to Mary. So, is this what discipleship smells like? Should our discipleship produce such wonderful aromas?

Pastor Dave