Thoughts for the Day

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Over the decades I have run many workshops, and this is one: A passage of scripture is read (as above) and members are given different parts. What might their character be thinking or feeling as the scene unfolds.

Mary: Is she overwhelmed with her need to thank Jesus for bringing her brother Lazarus back to life that she uses a costly perfume to anoint Jesus? It was a sign of honour to anoint someone's head, is anointing his feet a sign of humility? She wipes the oil with her unbound hair - often the sign of a prostitute - does she even remember this?

Martha: The practical one. Hers is the task to oversee the house. She gives all that she has to Jesus by ensuring he and the others are well-fed, and she has just declared Jesus to be 'the Messiah' (John 11.25-27) What are her thoughts and feelings about the scene, and about Jesus' words concerning his burial?

Judas: He has already determined to betray Jesus, what are his real feelings about the use of the perfume? He has stolen from the common purse, is he really concerned for the poor? What does he hope his planned betrayal will achieve, for instance force Jesus to use his power to overcome the opposition?

Lazarus: Has he resumed his life after being resurrected? What does he make of his sister's action. Has he made the leap to see this as Jesus being anointed for his death or for his accession as their King?

You might like to immerse yourself in one or more of these characters.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You gave up Your life for us -
unselfishly and freely to save us from our sin.
May we offer You all that we possess
just as Mary gave everything she had to You,
neither holding back nor limiting
what we offer You,
and especially in our worship on this day.
Amen.