Jesus is anointed by Mary of Bethany. John 12. 1-8
Today we join together for a special baptism, where we will use some oil, to express the prayers of the church for the baby being baptised and the family.
The main meaning of our gospel passage concerns the generosity of a cheerful giver, who serves God and their neighbours, as a person who has his
life, set free by Jesus love, who can fill the house where they are with perfume.
The home of Lazarus, the person Jesus raised from the dead, with Martha and Mary in Bethany, was the place Jesus rested on his way to Jerusalem. He was among friends who were among the truest he had on earth. Bethany would become one of the special places of early Christian worship and witness after the resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus knew full well“ his hour was at hand” and went into retirement before the storm. This was not to escape his fate, but to defer it until the appointed time of the Passover. He had crossed overfrom the east side of the River Jordan. He joined the crowds that were hasteningto the feast. He passed through Jericho where he healed the blind men. He converted Zaccheus the tax collector and stayed in his house. With his disciples, Jesus joined the pilgrims that walked through themountain pass from the plain of Jericho up to Jerusalem. Reaching Bethany, he stopped to reston the journey, with his closest friends.
At dinner time, gathered around the table, the men ate first, as was customary. Mary, Martha’s sister, anoints Jesus’s feet with perfumed oil, called nard, and wipes his feet with her hair. Meal times are special times for family and friends in the Middle East, and signs of the closest hospitality. Accepting an invitation to eat with someone, speaks of trust. In preparation, water is poured on guests right and left hands, removing any dust from the journey. Then there would be a blessing of everyone, both hosts and guests and giving thanks to God.
Mary of Bethany, however went further, as Martha served the meal and Lazarus was seated at the table with the men. Mary poured the perfumed oil of nard over Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Scented oil was used as a perfume, not just for hospitality, but also to introduce God’s love and to provide a medicine for weary bodies.
1. ButMary is indicating in her love, that Jesus comes into their home as God’s anointed Saviour.The expectedChrist in the Old Testament, was to come as the“AnointedOne”. So, for Mary it is a token of her honouring Jesus and who he is.
2.The oil is a token of health and comfort. The nard perfume came from a flowering plant, grown in the Himalayas, both in Nepal and Indiaand the border with China. It could be a herbal medicine. Lavender oil was also described as " nard” which is very comforting.
3.Theoil given to Jesus was a sign of consecration, being set aside for a holy purpose. As Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism in the River Jordan, we have now a physical anointing by Mary, performed out of affection. It is said by JesusthatMary bought it to use for his burial. This hint helps us look forward through Easter.
Mary of Bethany’s love for Jesus was so genuine that she bravely entered the room where the meal was being served. She humbled herself to honour and trust Jesus. She did not expect to have her offering rejected or to be asked to leave by Jesus, even if there were comments made by others. TheLord Jesus Christ is always trustworthy, when we seek him.Today as we welcome a special baby into the family of Jesus, We declare the gospeltogether of God’s love for this special child and us. We will use oil that has been blessed to represent the prayers of the church for our newly baptised child. We will remind ourselves of our owninclusion into the family of Jesus. We promise to do our part in bringing this and all children up into the Christian faith so that they can know they are loved and can choose for themselves from a basis of understanding. So as we celebrate a specialbaptism today, lets also focus on who Jesus is for this child, as God’s Anointed, who brings life and meaning to each of us as we trust him on our life journey and in resting places too.
JB PassionSunday 2016