I’m not sure what Nard smelled like, but I really think they could have come up with a better name for a perfume.
I’m seeing two different reactions to Jesus today, from three different settings. let me explain:
First, we see Mary extravagantly pouring out perfume on Jesus’ feet, and then wiping them with her hair. That seems fairly intimate to me, and it would have made Jesus and Mary (and the whole house) smell like perfume. I wonder how long Mary’s hair smelled like Nard? Was the smell of Nard still lingering in the house the day they came home after the crucifixion? Did the smell remind them of the good times they had with Jesus?
Anyway, that’s not what I was pointing out… Mary is deeply engaged in personal, intimate worship and the opposite reaction is also present in the room. Judas.
He complained and made disparaging remarks about the cost and how the money could have been better spent elsewhere. It seems like whenever there is a Mary, there is also a Judas. I could give Judas’ comments my attention, or I could go and be in the moment with Mary. Which do you think is the wisest course of action? It would appear that we have a choice to make, focus on the critical Judas or the extravagantly-worshiping Mary.
The second set of reactions is found beginning in verse 12, where Jesus rides into Jerusalem. All along the path are people are cheering and praising God, laying down palm branches, and taking off their outer garments and laying them in the road. Once again, it is a very personal, engaged expression of worship. And, once again, we have the opposite present: the Pharisees. Do you remember from our recent readings that they wanted to kill Lazarus, simply because he was a powerful witness and testimony to Jesus’ power? What kind of person decides to kill the innocent simply because they were healed (raised from the dead) and are sharing about it? The Pharisees were seriously demented, apparently. Lifelong scholars who couldn’t discern the times in which they lived. In a way, they remind me of some of our leaders today. Anyway……here we have the two opposite reactions present at the same event. You and I get to choose: Would you rather cheer on Jesus and have his donkey walk past, stepping on your jacket, or would you prefer to seethe about how popular he is, and secretly plot to kill him and his followers?
The third reaction begins in verse 20. Some Greeks had come to Jerusalem for Passover. Hey, that’s quite a journey, they must have really wanted to be there…and they were eagerly anticipating hearing Jesus speak, and possibly even being able to talk with Him. I doubt they ever regretted making the time in their calendar to travel to Jerusalem that Passover! They were privileged to see first hand the Savior of the World defeat satan in hand to hand combat. What a time to be in Jerusalem! They sacrificed and traveled and went out of their way to find the disciples and ask for a chance to meet Jesus. Again, we have deeply dedicated and earnest disciples wanting to spend time with Jesus. On the other hand, we learn in verse 37 and following that there were many in the crowd who didn’t believe and didn’t follow Christ. Once again, we have both reactions.
Jesus invokes a reaction every time He makes an appearance. Some will believe, will worship, will cheer and shout and travel great distances to be near Him. Others will complain, find fault, plot insurrection and fail to believe.
This will happen in normal worship services, in your home, in your community and at your place of business. it will happen in your state, and around the world. That’s simply the way it’s going to be. In 2 Corinthians 2:16 Paul says “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” We are going to be one or the other, and the choice is up to us.
Choose today to be an extravagant worshiper. Ignore those who find fault and point out every negative. Associate with the crowd that praises, and don’t be found keeping company with the complainers and the back biters. Know this: you won’t find a church where both of these things aren’t present, so don’t go looking for one. Instead, find the people in your church, in your community that earnestly praise the Lord and spend time worshiping with them.
Be blessed!
PR