Exploring the Scripture

The pilgrimage toward Easter continues. Holy Week approaches and Jesus’ passion and death lie immediately ahead. This passage is situated between the story of raising Lazarus (John 11:1–44), the event that leads to the decision to kill Jesus (11:45–57), and the entry into Jerusalem (12:9–19). This story of anointing is rightly viewed as part of the passion story.

John tells the story differently than Matthew, Mark, and Luke, placing it at the home of his dear friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, who are brother and sisters. Though the cross is looming large and Good Friday is just a few days away, today’s story shows Jesus catching a break. He had time to visit, rest, and eat in a peace-filled place. Jesus, the one who had “nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20), stayed in Bethany—as much home for him as anywhere.

At the heart of this text is a surprising act of generosity: an over-the-top gift. Mary, a disciple with deep gratitude for Jesus because he raised her brother from the dead and returned him to her and her family, anoints Jesus with costly perfume. She responds to Jesus’ extravagant generosity with extravagant generosity of her own. Generosity begets generosity.

Observe how people who are driven by self react, but servant leaders—those who put others first, respond. Judas reacts to Mary’s generous gift with harsh criticism. He points out the wastefulness of the gift. Judas suggested it could have been sold for 300 denarii, roughly a year’s pay, and given to the poor. As Mary anoints, it is Judas who is exposed.

Jesus, however, is gracious and responds with gratitude. His sharp, clear defense of Mary can also be understood as a defense of all whose voices are stifled by the church, all whose gifts are not received. Comparing Judas’ reaction and Jesus’ servant-leader response, one notes that criticizing generosity is a wonderful way to dodge its power. A true gift cannot be controlled, only received. For this and many reasons, some cultures have a much easier time giving than receiving.

Sometimes, people look for ways to avoid giving. Scripture contains a clear mandate to take care of the poor. Many have tried to justify their inaction by using the line in this passage that says “you always have the poor with you” (v. 8). However, this quote refers to Deuteronomy 15:11, whose message is certain: “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’” Jesus knew it and his disciples knew it.

Mary wiped Jesus’ feet. Jesus receives from her what he will soon offer his disciples when he washes their feet. (The Greek verb is the same in both cases.) Mary’s extravagant act is a faithful witness to the even more extravagant act about to occur.

John’s Gospel bears witness to the gift God gives the world in the incarnate Jesus. In today’s passage as elsewhere, celebrating God’s gift in Jesus comes with awareness of the cost of that gift as the story moves toward Jesus’ impending hour of death. May we accept that gift.

Project Zion Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

LISTEN

Central Ideas

1. Disciples are called to respond with actions as well as words.
2. Mary’s extravagant gift is a generous response to God’s generosity to her in Jesus.
3. Mary’s extravagant act is a faithful witness to the even more extravagant act that is about to occur in Jesus’ passion (death, resurrection, ascension).
4. Jesus is a gift from God.
5. We have to decide how we will respond to God’s generous grace.

Questions to Consider

1. Can you remember a time when you received an extravagant gift? How did you react? What was your response?
2. Is it easier for you to give or to receive? Why?
3. If you are honest with yourself, are you more like Mary (a person who gives without counting cost) or Judas (counting and criticizing) in this passage? Explain.
4. How do you respond to God’s generous grace in your life?
5. How much of your capacity for generous giving are you actually using right now?
6. When has your congregation’s generosity been like the extravagant gift in this scripture?