Bible Text: John 12:1-8 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
Someone recently said to me that the smell of white jasmine blooming is for them, always a smell that reminds them spring is just around the corner. Within the same conversation I recalled that the smell of lavender makes me think of summer. They say that one’s sense of smell or the olfactory is the one sense tied mostly to memory because the olfactory bulb is part of the brain’s limbic system- a part of the brain that is closely linked to one’s emotions. I have often wondered about our sense of smell because, out of no nowhere I can be drawn back into a childhood memory just because a particular aroma- the smell of baked bread reminds me of coming home from school, the smell of thrills gum, or soap for that matter, reminds me of my grandma, the smell of old spice reminds me of my Sunday School teacher, and the smell of grilling tilapia will reminded me of meals beside the Nile River. Apparently one’s sense of smell is developed even before we’re born- research shows that a baby in the womb who is exposed to garlic will prefer the smell of garlic over those who are not. I was not. Both the sense of smell and emotions are closely linked in the Gospel story this morning.
Jesus is enjoying a visit with close family friends. Perhaps he was coming to check up on Lazarus-making sure he was living his recently revived life to the fullest. Perhaps he was checking up on Martha, in the hopes that she had found a way to relax, found a way to take time for herself. Or perhaps he wanted to introduce his disciples to the woman who has been so engaged in his teachings, the one person who seems to get what he’s saying. Just as everyone is getting settled Mary comes in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils.
The NRSV says that it was a perfume made of pure nard. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what pure nard was and had to look it up. Nard is a flowering plant related to the Valerian family. I know what valerian smells like and trust me it is not something I would have described as a pleasant smell. But it turns out that the ancient Greeks called Lavender naardus and that’s a smell I can enjoy. In the ancient Middle East nard oil was used to anoint the deceased as they were prepared for burial.
Mary’s anointing is a prophetic act- whether she knew it or not remains to be seen. Jesus reads into the situation pretty clearly and when Judas reacts with such disgust, Jesus says, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honouring the day of my burial.” Anointing with oil or perfume did have many purposes during the New Testament era. There are numerous Biblical examples of kings, priests, leaders being anointed for a specific purpose. As many of you know the word, “Messiah” means “the anointed one” in Hebrew. The sick were anointed as a ritual of healing. Perhaps Mary was trying to calm Jesus’ nerves. Mary could have meant any of these possibilities. But her behaviour means something pretty clear to Jesus, John and the reader.
Judas’ behaviour and comments add an additional layer to our understanding. Judas is a contradictory character. He is one of Jesus’ disciples but he is about to betray him. Judas’ concern for the poor is merely a ruse to cover his own greed. Although he is portrayed as a bit of a hypocrite in this passage, I can kind of relate to him. Sometimes our words and our actions struggle to mean the same thing. But I have always been a bit intrigued about Judas. I’m always surprised that Judas stayed with the disciples until the last supper. And there are a few versions of how Judas was conflicted by his betrayal days after Jesus’ death. But Judas also demonstrates that true loyalty and honesty are not prerequisites for discipleship. Basically all of us disciples have our Judas moments- but that doesn’t mean Jesus rejects us or tells us to leave the group. As we welcome new members today I want us to be reminded of that- that we vow to be disciples in this church together but sometimes we are more like Judas than Peter. Even in this passage Judas is being prophetic in his words- by betraying the common funds we know he is setting himself up for greater betrayal.
Mary demonstrates that it is not belief IN Jesus that matters most but faithful action. This might seem contrary to Protestant understanding of “By faith alone” Mary’s actions do not dispute this but rather demonstrate how faith is not just a doctrinal understanding of Jesus but rather faith is active not passive. And that sometimes our actions demonstrate a deeper faith than we even know. John does a lot to explain this scene but he does not tell us what Mary believes, and it seems beyond sound reason that she could understand all that will happen to Jesus, and all that her actions evoke. Yet, we see her enact a faith that resonates deeply with who Jesus is and what our faith implies. Mary’s actions in a simple house in Bethany transforms it into a sanctuary, a place of worship to God and for Christ.
We have everyday simple actions that can be generous- can be worth more than any statement of belief. Our actions are like a fragrant oil that can invoke deep emotions. Remember that as we celebrate the life and ministry of this church in our AGM. Our actions are like a fragrant oil that can invoke deep emotions that can spread throughout the entire household of God. Amen