John 12: 1-8; 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
April 7, 2019
Fifth Sunday in Lent
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.’ - John 12: 1-8
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence. - 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17
One of my favorite childhood memories is coming home from school on Friday afternoons. I would step off the school bus and run down the drive way. I walked through the front door and the house smelled like love. When my sister and I were in elementary school, Friday was the day my mom put the house back together. Mom would clean our rooms, vacuum, and dust the furniture with Pledge furniture polish – the lemon scented kind. My mom showed her adoration to our family through her acts of service. To this day, the scent of love is Pledge lemon scented furniture polish.
The Gospel of John takes us into the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. These three siblings were Jesus’ best friends. Jesus’ earthly ministry was coming to a close. And the siblings invited Jesus over for a special dinner. John’s Gospel stimulates our biblical imagination with all the senses. As soon as the first century reader and we walk into the door, we too are embraced by a home filled with the fragrant scent of love.
Martha is in the kitchen preparing dinner. She continues to extend her gift of hospitality to Jesus. Lazarus is reclined at table beside Jesus. Mary was ready to sit at Jesus’ feet again; just days before Jesus wept with Mary (John 11:32-35). You see these siblings were celebrating that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 38-44). Gratitude for the good news of Jesus’ resurrection power filled that house.
Suddenly Mary was moved to give her most prized possession to Jesus as an act of her devotion. She knelt down on the floor, emptied the costly perfumed oil, and anointed Jesus’ feet. And then she lovingly wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. Another layer of devotional love filled the house.
The importance of Mary’s action was not lost on Jesus. In John’s Gospel Mary’s selfless act stands in stark contrast to Judas’ question of self-interest to say this: The gift of faith is not meant to for us to keep for ourselves.
As Jesus was filled with the Spirit of God’s wisdom and will, God moved Jesus Christ to empty himself on the cross for us and for the sake of fulfilling God’s promise of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Likewise, as we are moved and changed by Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit moves us to empty ourselves to glorify God and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
It was three months ago today that the Church Universal observed Epiphany, “the day we celebrate the manifestation of God’s saving purpose in Jesus Christ to all nations of the world.” Just as the star guided the magi to worship the Son of God, we each received a star in worship with the hopes that our star words would reveal something new and praiseworthy to us about the good news of Jesus Christ.
Camille received the star word “Teaching.” I see one of the spiritual gifts that God gave Camille is the gift of teaching. She has taught children’s Sunday School for a generation and has seen her students grow up into amazing young adults. After taking a well deserved break last year, she received her star word. When Camille revealed her word to me, I thought that God has a sense of humor.
An opportunity was presented for Camille to teach our youth Sunday School class for a few months and so she said yes to God. Camille taught our youth about Jesus’ life and ministry. Our youth have some really good questions, and Camille said she learned it is ok for her answer to be, “I don’t know.” Camille shared, “These students were great listeners and learners and I hope my ears were open to listen and learn from them too.”
Glenda received the star word “Encouragement.” I see God has used Glenda’s gift of writing Christian fiction to touch people’s lives in ways she had not expected. Glenda said she has received a lot of encouragement from her readers in past years. Therefore, her star word gave her an idea. Instead of replying to her readers’ comments with just a “thank you,” Glenda would ask questions about what part of the book the reader found meaningful.
Their online dialogue revealed real life issues that Glenda’s readers are facing that her books addressed . It also opened a door for Glenda to suggest they pray for each other. Glenda is praying for her readers while they are praying for her writing to touch others.
Laine received the star word “Witness.” I see God has given Laine the spiritual gift of sharing faith; she does this weekly in Sisters of the Heart Bible Study. But that word “Witness” initially gave Laine the image of standing on the street corner screaming at people about Jesus. The past three months the good news of being a witness for Jesus Christ has become a different kind of revelation for Laine. God’s Spirit is giving her the image of being present to personally see or perceive a thing; being a BEHOLDER, a spectator, or an eyewitness. So, she began spiritually watching.
Laine said, “I saw a billboard with the words of Micah 7:7, which states, “Watch and hope for the Lord.” God was reminding me to watch for Him & His handiwork everywhere, in everyday occasions. In daily Scripture readings I was reminded to “seek His face!” (Psalm 27: 8) and that God also sees me (Genesis 16:13). God is watching/witnessing my life… That’s a sobering thought! And I am reminded that watching is not a passive endeavor, but I must also be actively seeking to discern His presence. Daily quiet time, the study of His word, worship, fellowship with other believers, prayer...all are conduits by which He reveals Himself to me. I have personally seen Him in action...in the smile of my husband, in the tears of a friend, in the peace that comes over me when the world turns upside down. I am becoming a BEHOLDER. God is telling me, “Slow down, look for Me, & when you see Me, tell someone.”
God is at work in our lives in powerful ways, enabling us both to will and to work for the Lord’s good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). As the gift of faith fills our souls, God moves us to empty ourselves. The Spirit empties our hearts and minds of the things that do not serve God’s purposes. The Spirit is at work to fill us with the grace of Jesus Christ so that we might continue growing as the Lord’s disciples.
Jesus said, “The everyone will know we are his disciples by our love for one another” (John 13:35). Therefore, the hope is that we might watch for God, behold the Lord, and boldly share the fragrance of God’s love with one another.
The Apostle Paul says, “We are not peddlers of God’s word, but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence” (2 Corinthians 2:17). Therefore, God gives us the opportunity to be the aroma of Christ and fill not just our homes, not just our churches, but the whole world with the fragrance of God’s love.
Today we are standing in Christ’s presence as he begins to turn his face from his earthly ministry towards fulfilling God’s promises of new life through the cross.
How has Jesus Christ been at work in your life? Where has your faith encountered the fragrant scent of God’s welcome, hospitality, and self-giving love?
Savor the beauty of God’s precious gifts and then let them flow freely to encourage another.
May God’s Spirit move you and me to empty ourselves to share the love of Jesus Christ in humbling ways. Be moved to give glory to God.
In the name of God our Creator, redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
Painting, "God Poured Out," by Mike Moyers
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