Making a Way

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: JOHN 12:1-8 (MESSAGE)

Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.

Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.

Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.” 

Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him.

Have you ever had to say good bye to someone you love?  What was that experience like for you?  Did you share pictures, stories and hopes with the person?  Were you able to share your grief too?  When it was time to say good bye, did you leave anything with the person?

Saying good bye can be really difficult.  It makes us feel vulnerable because of not knowing how or if the relationship will last.  It makes us feel frightened because we have no control over how often we will connect with the one who has been important in our lives.  It makes us feel sad because it is, at the core, a loss – the relationship will no longer be the same.

Imagine if this is how we felt when we said good bye to someone we love how Mary must have felt to have truly heard what Jesus was saying about not returning.  If you were in Mary’s shoes, how would you have said good bye to Jesus?  What would you leave with him?  How would you honor what you have shared?

If these mirror any of your questions, then please join us this Sunday, March 17 at 9:45am in Christ Church for the fifth Sunday in Lent as we hear how Mary made a way when there seemed to be no way.  See you in Church!