e-vo for week of March 13

Dearest e-votees-

This Sunday we have the appointed text of Mary of Bethany (Martha and Lazarus’ sister) anointing the feet of Jesus.

Did you ever think that this might have been where Jesus got the idea to wash his disciples feet? Hmmmm.

Peace,
Karl

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12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

John 12:1-8, NRSV

We are situated in the Bible between the death and raising of Lazarus and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on Maundy Thursday.

Death and the menial yet intimate task of washing feet seem to be common threads.

We are mortal. Lazarus reminds us of that. Jesus’ weeping reminds us that God cares for us and the pains we experience in our own mortality and in the loss of loved ones. Jesus is mortal. Mary’s anointing of Jesus reminds us of that. Mary cares for God and prepares him for his burial.

The world may see our devotion to God and mock and deride (as Judas did to Mary). Their motives, like those of Judas, will often be less than pure. God sides with Mary. We have that assurance as well.

Washing feet is a job of the lowly. Servants washed the feet of those coming into the house. Mary humbled herself by washing Jesus feet. As did the women (unnamed, could be Mary) at Simon the Leper’s house (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9) and Simon the Pharisee’s house (7:36-40). Apparently they were unaware how lowly washing someone’s feet was. Or, perhaps, they were quite aware and did it anyway. Jesus was clearly aware of the menial task he engaged while washing the feet of all the disciples including Simon the denier and Judas the betrayer. Jesus stooped low that we might be lifted high.

Jesus entered into death on the cross. He stooped completely into mortality and the wages of our sins that we might be made whole and well and new. We do always have the poor with us. A quick peek into the mirror confirms as much. Thanks be to God that Jesus makes us rich bestowing on us God’s favor and grace.


God, teach us to stoop in worship. Teach us to stoop in service. Teach us to draw near death and let you love us to life. Bring to death our old Adams and old Eves that the new ones might emerge. Amen.