Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-069

EXTRAVAGANT WORSHIP

From ‘Sunrise Sunset’ (HarperCollins/Harper San Francisco), Rowland Croucher’s book of daily meditations. Feel free to use or adapt it.

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. John 12:8.

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for the last time, and revisits Bethany, before entering the holy city on the first Palm Sunday. Simon the leper treats him to a sumptuous banquet there, according to the accounts in Matthew and Mark. All four Gospels have a story about a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50). The Luke account describes a different event than that in the other three gospels.

Read: John 12:1-11.

Usually oil was poured onto a person’s head, not their feet; usually a whole year’s wages worth of ointment was not used at once (not even on kings!); usually respectable women did not undo their hair in public; and usually a slave rather than a friend attended to the cleaning of guests’ feet. Like all great acts of devotion, the cost was irrelevant. Care for the poor is important (see Deuteronomy 15:11), but does not have the same value as the lavish worship of Christ (v.8).

Meditate: Put yourself into the minds and hearts of the main characters here. Martha served (in what ways do I humbly serve Christ?); Lazarus reclined at the table (am I eager to enjoy his company and imbibe his teaching?); Mary’s offering was extravagant (if his love demands my all, what have I offered him?); Judas was out for what he could get, even if he had to steal from others (what is my motive for following Christ?).

Take my love my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure-store. Amen.

Shalom! Rowland Croucher <> Director, John Mark Ministries: counseling and consulting services for pastors, ex-pastors, church leaders and managers. http://jmm.aaa.net.au (5500+ articles) http://priscillasfriends.org/ (Pastors’ wives)