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Day 35Preparing for the Cross Monday, March 26, 2018
“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.” John 12:1-3
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Devotional:
Here we are. Passion Week. The air is heavy with anticipation. The mood has become pensive, brooding.
I have to confess something: I’ve never been more acutely aware of my inadequacy than when I am writing here about the suffering of Christ and its meaning. I savor this privilege, yet as I put the words down, the closer I get to the Cross on this Gospel Road, I consistently find myself physically weakened and emotionally overcome. So I acknowledge my dependence on God’s strength in putting human words to express his divine word- while also affirming my confidence in the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. So I proceed, full of faith in Him…and praying that by the Holy Spirit’s prompting, you’ll join me in this Passion Week in tears and in unspeakably joyful gratitude as we climb up Calvary together and gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, and the staggering reasons behind it.
In the final week of Jesus’s journey, we are taken to the household of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. These three siblings regularly have offered hospitality to Jesus. Mary and Martha have demonstrated great faith, and Lazarus has been raised from the dead. Their lives have been knit together in powerful ways, and, particularly in the Gospel of John, we have glimpses of moments of miracle and mystery.
As is the case with many biblical accounts, there is much that is revealed in one verse. “There they gave a dinner for him.” In addition to being witnesses of Jesus’ authoritative teaching and life-giving presence, these three are his familiars. They treat him like family. He is at home in their home. Sometimes I have the sense that they are closer to him than the disciples, who are always busy bumping heads with one another, trying to see who is going to win “Best Disciple” of the week.
The disciples are on the road with Jesus, trying to learn, missing the point half the time, not wanting to hear Jesus tell them the truth of his life. By contrast, Mary, Martha and Lazarus offer Jesus their home. In the quiet domestic space of these three siblings, perhaps Jesus could be at ease. Perhaps he could put aside the messiah-projections and savor conversation, enjoy a meal, sleep in familiar surroundings.
It’s in this house that Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus. She dares to take the pound of costly perfume and pour it on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. She dares to say with her actions, “I know what you are facing into; I know that this entry into Jerusalem will lead to your death. And I know you have to do this.”
I imagine that such honesty-in-action would have been a great gift to Jesus. Someone— friend—knows that darkness is up ahead. This family of siblings is willing to receive the truth, and in so doing they give Jesus a great gift.
As Jesus rests and prepares for the final leg of his earthly journey, I sit amazed and thankful to God for giving his son, through the fellowship of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, a place of sanctuary, honesty, deep kinship, and sweet refreshment. That he here is to be bathed in love, pure and unobstructed , given to reverence. To have this time set apart for a quiet compassion, a sacred anointing, a knowing departure, a holy preparation. God showing his love poured out through His children to His only Son. Compassion, Grace, and Love reign as the sky darkens and clouds gather.
I have to confess something: I’ve never been more acutely aware of my inadequacy than when I am writing here about the suffering of Christ and its meaning. I savor this privilege, yet as I put the words down, the closer I get to the Cross on this Gospel Road, I consistently find myself physically weakened and emotionally overcome. So I acknowledge my dependence on God’s strength in putting human words to express his divine word- while also affirming my confidence in the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. So I proceed, full of faith in Him…and praying that by the Holy Spirit’s prompting, you’ll join me in this Passion Week in tears and in unspeakably joyful gratitude as we climb up Calvary together and gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, and the staggering reasons behind it.
In the final week of Jesus’s journey, we are taken to the household of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. These three siblings regularly have offered hospitality to Jesus. Mary and Martha have demonstrated great faith, and Lazarus has been raised from the dead. Their lives have been knit together in powerful ways, and, particularly in the Gospel of John, we have glimpses of moments of miracle and mystery.
As is the case with many biblical accounts, there is much that is revealed in one verse. “There they gave a dinner for him.” In addition to being witnesses of Jesus’ authoritative teaching and life-giving presence, these three are his familiars. They treat him like family. He is at home in their home. Sometimes I have the sense that they are closer to him than the disciples, who are always busy bumping heads with one another, trying to see who is going to win “Best Disciple” of the week.
The disciples are on the road with Jesus, trying to learn, missing the point half the time, not wanting to hear Jesus tell them the truth of his life. By contrast, Mary, Martha and Lazarus offer Jesus their home. In the quiet domestic space of these three siblings, perhaps Jesus could be at ease. Perhaps he could put aside the messiah-projections and savor conversation, enjoy a meal, sleep in familiar surroundings.
It’s in this house that Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus. She dares to take the pound of costly perfume and pour it on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. She dares to say with her actions, “I know what you are facing into; I know that this entry into Jerusalem will lead to your death. And I know you have to do this.”
I imagine that such honesty-in-action would have been a great gift to Jesus. Someone— friend—knows that darkness is up ahead. This family of siblings is willing to receive the truth, and in so doing they give Jesus a great gift.
As Jesus rests and prepares for the final leg of his earthly journey, I sit amazed and thankful to God for giving his son, through the fellowship of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, a place of sanctuary, honesty, deep kinship, and sweet refreshment. That he here is to be bathed in love, pure and unobstructed , given to reverence. To have this time set apart for a quiet compassion, a sacred anointing, a knowing departure, a holy preparation. God showing his love poured out through His children to His only Son. Compassion, Grace, and Love reign as the sky darkens and clouds gather.
Song/Hymn: |
Bridge Over Troubled Water “…when you’re weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all...”
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