Worship for the Week Beginning 3rd April 2022

Before we look at today’s gospel reading, in order to set the scene, I want us to look at the previous chapter in John’s gospel, which record the death and bringing back to life, of Lazarus, the brother of Martha & Mary.

When Jesus received the news that Lazarus was ill he did not immediately go to Bethany.  When he did he was given the news that Lazarus had died 4 days before.  Both the sisters told Jesus they were sure their brother would not have died had Jesus come sooner.  Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb where Lazarus was buried.

He prayed to his heavenly Father & then called to Lazarus who came out of the tomb.  Whilst some of the mourners believed in Jesus because of what he had done, others reported back to the Chief priests and Pharisees who gave orders for Jesus to be arrested.  Knowing that his time had not yet come Jesus quietly slipped away and travelled to the nearby town of Ephraim. 
Six days later he travelled back to Bethany to the home of Lazarus and this is where we pick up this morning’s gospel reading.

When Mary poured that very expensive perfume onto Jesus feet and then let down her hair to dry them we can only imagine the tension in that room.  These were considered actions that only a loose woman would do.
Coupled with this cunning and deceit, Judas took the opportunity to voice his opinion that this was a waste, as the perfume could be sold and monies given to the poor.  He said this not because of any concern he had for the poor but because of his greed. 

We know he was a thief and would gladly pocket the money.  Jesus’ very poignant reply was to let Mary keep what she had for his burial. 

This story, together with Jesus words, remind us that soon we will be remembering Good Friday.  For me, and I am sure for many others, this is the least favourite of days in the Christian calendar, but still a day that is needed to remind us of the pain and suffering of our Saviour Jesus, and the sacrifice he made for us.

Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of the week when we will travel with our Lord to the Cross, but it is at the foot of that Cross that he leaves us.  He then took our place and our sins with him.

If we were in that room in Lazarus’s house, we too could have knelt at Jesus feet, and helped Mary to pour that perfume on them, and helped dry them with her hair, because that would have been the least we could do for the man without whom we would be nothing, and in whose name we pray today.