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Here again we have a very familiar text as we move closer to
the Crucifixion and Resurrection events. A close parallel of this event occurs
in the Synoptic Gospels, making the symbolic preparation of Jesus for His
death a rare case in which all four Gospels mention it. John’s account
identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and describes the event
as occurring six days before Passover.1
The recognition of Jesus as Savior in the midst of guests by
this woman evokes a sacrificial response from her. Familiar characters are
all present: Lazarus, who Jesus has recently raised from the dead (see John
11); Martha, who is serving dinner, as seems to be typical of “busy
Martha” (compare John 12:2 with Luke 10:38-42); Mary, whose act of sacrifice
is highlighted here; the disciples, with a focus upon the unscrupulous Judas
Iscariot’s complaining (according to John 12:6 he was a thief); and
presumably others were present, too (John 12:2).
My sermon title for this text is “A Royal Waste,”
taken from the title of Marva Dawn’s excellent book on worship called,
A Royal Waste of Time. In her book, Dawn describes what we do in worship as
“meaningless” in the eyes of the world, since they are not able
to see creation’s need to authentically and consistently worship God.
This passionate and public act of adoration from Mary reminds us of our need
to give ourselves over to Christ completely, and to allow our praise to be
a sacrificial statement of Christ’s glory and worth.
Like Judas Iscariot, we often have the unhealthy need to control
or manipulate for selfish reasons. As the Church, we are to seek opportunities
to demonstrate the ways we are different from the “me first” mind
set of the world. Like Jesus, we are to say, “This way of living and
worshiping with total trust and dependence upon God is good.”
Jesus affirms Mary’s act of worship. It was, to quote
an old saying, “time (and resources) well-wasted.” By that I mean
that Jesus is saying that there are things that the world often calls useless
or wasteful—things like prayer, praise, giving sacrificially, meditation
upon God’s Word and so on—that are actually necessary in order
to really learn what it means to live. God’s answer to our busyness,
workaholism and “me first” attitude is to point us to the story
of this woman who demonstrated that selfless devotion to Christ is of greater
value than our pride, our resources or our control.
Since Jesus points to Mary in this story as an example of what
is right and good, we should follow her example. Instead of approaching Jesus
as someone to use to get our way (as Judas was seeking), we would benefit
approaching Jesus as the One upon whom we lavish our praise and adoration
without asking, “What’s in it for me?”.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons”.)
Possible approaches to this text include an examination of the
perspectives of each of the main characters in the story—Jesus, Mary,
Judas and Martha. Since it is such a familiar text, a sermon may also examine
the perspective of unmentioned guests—close observers—of the actions
taking place (Lazarus, the other disciples, the other guests and so on). Perhaps
the preacher could also examine the two motives present here: selfishness
(Judas) and self-sacrifice (Mary). Regardless of preaching style, it seems
important that we use this opportunity to remind our listeners that as Lent
is ending we are to focus upon drawing nearer to God while crucifying selfish
motives and ambitions (as illustrated in the wilderness temptations of Jesus).
Is worship going to be about us or about Jesus?
1. Paul N. Anderson, Christology of the Fourth Gospel. (Philadelphia:
Trinity Press International, 1997), 36-136. Raymond E. Brown, Introduction
to the New Testament (New York: Double Day, 1997), 350.