Selective Hearing

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. (John 12:1-7 ESV). Isn’t it odd how some people only hear part of what you say? Some people only hear what they want to hear and then there are others who hear you say one thing, and interpret it as something entirely different. I heard a story the other day about a hobo who walked up to the front door of a big farmhouse, and knocked on the door until the owner answered. The hobo said, “Sir, could I please have something to eat? I haven’t had a meal in days.” The well-to-do owner of the house said, “I have made my fortune in the world by never giving anything away for free. If you go around to the back of the house, you’ll fine a fresh gallon of paint and a clean brush. Paint my porch and I’ll give you a good meal.” The hobo headed off to the back of the house. About an hour later he knocked on the front door. The homeowner was surprised. “You’re finished already? That was quick! Come on in and sit down, and I’ll have the cook bring you a meal.” “Thank you, sir!” the hobo said. “I must tell you though, you really don’t know your cars. That’s not a Porch back there. It’s a BMW!" Sometimes people just don’t understand clearly, and that is the case with this morning’s Scripture passage. Judas didn’t understand why Mary was wasting the expensive perfume with the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. Jesus had to explain it to him. Jesus knows what lies ahead of him in the City of Jerusalem. Perhaps Mary knows too. So we are left with Mary at Jesus’ feet, anointing him with this perfume of nard and symbolically preparing Jesus for his burial. It is an extravagant gift! It is easy to stand in awe of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who really gives us the model of faithful discipleship. When we examine Mary’s model for faithful discipleship, we can see that it was born out of a profound sense of thanksgiving. She was overwhelmingly thankful for what Jesus did for her brother Lazarus. She was so thankful that she gave all that she had in the expensive perfume as a token of her thanksgiving. It was Mary’s profound sense of thankfulness that caused her to throw the dinner party for Jesus. It was her profound sense of thankfulness that caused her to break open the expensive pint of perfume that was worth a year’s wages, and pour it over Jesus’ feet. It was her profound sense of thankfulness that moved her to wash Jesus’ feet with her hair. Her profound sense of thankfulness was at the very core of her relationship with Jesus. Recalling the Easter story is a wonderful reminder. He has given us the most extravagant gift anyone could imagine. Even though you may have nothing “valuable” to give Him, He asks only for your love and attention. Commit yourself to Him today. You will not be disappointed with His response!