FIRST READING Isaiah 43:16–21
16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.
PSALM Psalm 126
1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.
4Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses of the Negeb.
5Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
SECOND READING Philippians 3:4b–14
4b If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
GOSPEL John 12:1–8
1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor? 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
It’s OK to be Extravagant
I read a story the other day that I found quite interesting. The story was reported to be true and happened several years ago in April of 1995. According to reputable sources, a man in New York City was kidnapped and held for ransom. The kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000. However, their demands were not received as expected. Amazingly she was able to talk the kidnappers down to $30,000. What’s even more astonishing was the fact that the story had a happy ending: the man was released and returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. It was an inspiring story and after reflecting on it for a while I began to wonder; what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount?
Journalist and writer Calvin Trillin also wrote about this incident. Known for his witty articles, he imagined out loud what the negotiations must have been like between the wife and her husband’s kidnappers: “$100,000 for that old guy? You’ve got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You’ve kidding right? Give me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer.” The reporter of this incident concluded his rendition of the story with this thoughtful comment: “I suppose there are some who can identify with the wife in that story, why pay any more than you have to, to get the job done. Many could justifiably reason, why drive a BMW when a Chevy Aveo will get the job done? But for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. I’d like to think if I were in a similar situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back. They wouldn’t haggle over the price. They wouldn’t say, ‘Well, let me think about it.’ Is he really worth all that? I’d like to think that they would say, ‘We’ll do anything for you.'” Or as Wade so aptly put it on Wednesday, “why go half way when you can go first class for just a little more”?
The point I’m trying to make is this: sometimes it’s O.K. to be extravagant! There are times when it’s OK to set aside the need to be thrifty and spend lavishly. There are times in life when we need to let go a little and break out the good stuff, simply because the occasion calls for it. This is precisely what this story in the Gospel of John is all about. Mary could have simply ensured that Jesus had a little water to wash His feet; instead she went first class. She broke out the best she had, to honor and glorify her Lord. Recall with me the events surrounding our story from today’s gospel lesson.
John tells us in the twelfth verse that Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. And since the gospel also records that the religious leaders were planning on killing Him, we know that Jesus is on His way to the cross. It’s just a few days before Passover. The chief priests and scribes are plotting against Him. Judas has already made plans to betray Him. The crucifixion is a little more than a week away and Jesus knows it. He’s tried telling the disciples three times of the events to come. John even records later in this same chapter Jesus plainly states what’s at stake: “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). But for now, Jesus and His disciples are invited to stop at Bethany.
The town of Bethany is familiar to us because, not long ago, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead there. Now, as they’re having dinner in His honor, a woman comes to Jesus and does a beautiful, but extravagant, thing for our Lord. The apostle John tells us that the woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. At some point, Mary brings an alabastron jar of very expensive ointment, John records that it was pure nard, or spikenard, which comes from a small flowering plant that grows in the Himalayas. Costing as much as a year’s wage, she breaks open the jar and pours a full pound of this very costly perfumed ointment on Jesus’ feet… she anoints His feet with oil then dries them with her hair. It’s an over-the-top gesture!
According to ancient custom, a good host would provide water so the guests could wash their feet. Since the most common footwear was sandals and the area around Bethany was aired, having an opportunity to bathe one’s feet not only helped to keep the living quarters clean but was also refreshing. Additionally, if it was an honored guest, perfumed oil was used to anoint the guest in much the same way we use cologne or perfume. But Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, why?
Some speculate that it was an act of gratitude in which she was thanking Jesus for raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. Others forward that it was an act of consecration in which she was anointing Jesus to encourage Him to go into the Holy City and do what had to be done. Still others say it was a foreshadowing, an act of preparation, in which she was anointing His body for the death which was to come in Jerusalem a few days later. All, however, agree that it was an act of love and kindness. No matter what the reason, it was an extravagant gesture. But the story doesn’t end there.
Mary, after honoring her Lord in this way, is criticized by some of the folks in the room. In Matthews account, he states that the disciples were offended. According to John’s account, it was Judas that reprimanded her for being so wasteful. John, unlike the other gospel writers, tells us why. Judas was a thief and used to steal from the common purse. But to the surprise of all, Jesus reprimands Judas for being so “stingy.”
Stingy of course means being overly concerned about money… sort of like the kidnapped man’s wife, who obviously felt that the money was more important than her husband’s wellbeing. Maybe she reasoned like this: “Which is easier to replace, a husband or $100,000?” That, by definition, is stingy, materialistic thinking. That was the Judas mind-set. That’s the way Judas thought. “What a waste! Look what we could have done with all the money we could have gotten from selling that perfumed oil. Think of how many poor people we could have fed!”
Of course we know the real reason Judas spoke up. He wanted a piece of the action. I even bet he was surprised and taken aback when Jesus complimented Mary on what she’d done. Again the point of the story is simply this: sometimes it’s O.K. to be extravagant; especially when it’s done to the glory of God. That was Mary’s mind-set. She brought out the very best, as a way to honor her Lord.
If you lived strictly by the Judas mind-set, there would be no Spires on churches, no flowers on the altar, no stained glass windows, no robes for the choir, no organ, nor would there be any beautiful weddings. Your daughter would come to you and say, “I’m in love and I’m so happy… I want to get married.” And you would say, “Well, why don’t you just elope? It’s much cheaper. It would be wasteful to have a wedding.” But the Mary mind-set says, “Sometimes in the name of love, kindness and gratefulness, it’s O.K. Indeed, it can be beautiful to be extravagant.” That’s what Mary was doing. It was a beautiful act of sacrificial generosity.
Speaking of generosity, I heard about a woman who was a “reverse tither.” She lived on ten percent of her income and gave away 90% to worthy causes… to her church, to theological schools and colleges, as well as orphanages and hospitals. She was extravagant in her generosity… and she was one of the happiest persons you’ll ever meet.
Now before I get run out of here, please remember that I know there’s a time to be frugal and a time to be extravagant. There’s a time to spend like money grows on trees and a time to save for tomorrow. We’re called to be good stewards of the resources God entrusts us with. And it’s important to use the money we’re blessed with in the best possible way. What I’m saying is that there are occasions when the right thing to do is to not simply consider the cost, rather ask, how will my extravagance serve, honor and praise God?
Many years ago, there was a small tribe of Native Americans who lived in Mississippi. They lived along the banks of a very swift and dangerous river. The current was so strong that if somebody accidentally fell in, they would likely be swept away to their death downstream. One day this tribe was attacked by another hostile Indian tribe. They found themselves literally with their backs up against the treacherous river. They were greatly outnumbered. Their only chance for escape was to cross the current, which would mean sure death for the children, the elderly, the weak, the ill and the injured… and likely death for many of the strong.
The leaders of the tribe huddled up to devise a plan. The logical thing, the reasonable thing, the expedient thing, the sensible thing, was to leave the weak ones behind. They were going to be killed anyway… why risk losing the strong in a futile effort to save the others? That was the rational answer, but they couldn’t do it! Instead, they chose to be extravagant in their generosity… and they decided that those who were strong would pick up the weaker ones and put them on their shoulders.
So, the little children, the elderly, those who were ill or wounded, were all carried on the backs of the stronger. With great fear, they waded out into the rapid waters of the river and they were met with a tremendous surprise. To their astonishment, they discovered that the weight on their shoulders enabled them to keep their footing through the treacherous current… and to make it safely to the other side. Their own extravagant generosity saved them. What they did wasn’t the reasonable, frugal, thing to do, but it was the right thing to do.
My point is: if we, who are strong, comfortable and well-fed, will reach out in generosity and help somebody in need, we might be surprised to discover that the life we save may also be our own. In words and action, Jesus taught us that sometimes it’s O.K. to be extravagant in our generosity. And the same can be said about showing gratitude.
Maybe that’s what Mary was doing that day in Bethany – expressing her indescribable thanksgiving to Jesus. Sometimes words just aren’t big enough and perhaps this extravagant act was her way of trying to say “thank you” to her Lord for all that He had done for them… and for the most recent act of calling her brother Lazarus out of the grave. This reminds me of the wonderful story about a woman who was known far and wide for her grateful spirit.
Even when she was diagnosed with terminal illness and told that she only had three months to live, still she maintained that twinkle in her eye, that terrific sense of humor, and that radiant spirit of gratitude. She went to see her pastor to plan her memorial service, and with a laugh she told him, “Don’t you make this a somber or sad occasion or I’ll come back to haunt you! I’ve had a great life and I am so thankful for so many things, so let’s concentrate on making this a celebration of my life in this world and the next.”
Together, she and her pastor selected the hymns and the scriptures and then she said, “Oh yes, there’s one more thing… I want to help you with your message.” “How’s that?” asked the minister. And she said, “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” Some of you know this story. The pastor’s face went pale a bit and she said, “Are you shocked by that request?” “Curious,” replied the minister. The woman then went on to explain.
“In all my years in the church I have attended so many eating meetings… dinners, brunches, luncheons, potluck suppers… and my favorite part was when they were clearing the tables after the main course and someone would lean over and say, ‘You can keep your fork.’ That was my favorite part, because I knew that meant that something better was coming! I was so grateful for what I had already had… and now something better was coming!
“So, when people come to the funeral home and see me there, they are going to say, ‘What’s with the fork? And then at the service you can get up and tell my story… and you can tell them for me, that I’m so grateful for what I’ve already had… but I’m keeping my fork because I know that something even better is coming!”
Let me ask you something: Do you have that kind of victorious spirit? Do you have that kind of deep faith? Do you have that kind of extravagant gratefulness? If not, why not? Jesus taught us that it’s O.K. to be extravagant in our generosity and in our gratitude. And there’s one final thing this story teaches us; it’s O.k. to be extravagant in our graciousness. One thing is clear. Whatever meanings scholars may attach to Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with costly, precious ointment, it was without question an act of love, kindness and graciousness.
Let me tell you about Tess. Tess was a precocious eight-year-old little girl. One day she heard her mom and dad talking in a serious and somber tone about her little brother, Andrew. Tess didn’t understand everything that they were saying, but she got the gist: Her little brother, Andrew, was very, very sick… and they were completely out of money. They would have to move out of their house and into a small apartment because Mom and Dad didn’t have enough money for the doctor bills and the house payment. On top of that, only a very expensive surgery could save Andrew now… and they couldn’t find anyone to lend them the money. Just then, Tess heard her dad say to her tearful mother in whispered desperation, “Only a miracle can save Andrew now.”
Tess ran to her room, pulled out a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in her closet. She poured out all the change on the floor and counted it carefully. She then put the change back in the jar, put the jar under her arm, slipped out the back door and ran down to the Rexall Drug Store six blocks away. The pharmacist was talking to a man intently and at first he didn’t notice Tess standing there. She waited patiently for a while and then dramatically cleared her throat, but still, no luck; the pharmacist still didn’t acknowledge her. Finally, Tess got his attention by taking a quarter out of her jelly jar and tapping it on the glass counter. That did it. The pharmacist noticed her and said, “Just a minute. I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen for ages.”
“Well,” said Tess, “I want to talk to you about my brother. He’s really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle. His name is Andrew and he has something growing inside his head and my daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So… how much does a miracle cost? I have the money here to pay for it. It’s all that I have saved. If it isn’t enough, I’ll get the rest. Just tell me how much a miracle costs.”
The pharmacist’s brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked Tess, “What kind of miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” Tess replied, with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my parents can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”
“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents!” Tess said proudly. “It’s all the money I have in the world, but I can get some more if I need to.” “Well, you’re in luck,” the man said with a smile. “One dollar and eleven cents is the exact price, of a miracle for little brothers.” He took the money in one hand and with the other he took hold of her mitten and said, “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.”
That well-dressed man from Chicago was Dr. Carlton Armstrong who just happened to be a noted neurosurgeon. The operation was successfully completed without charge… and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Tess’ mom and dad were grateful. They were talking one night about the chain of events that had saved Andrew’s life. “That surgery,” her mom said, “was a real miracle.” And then she said, “I just wonder how much it would have cost.” Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost… one dollar and eleven cents… plus, the skill and extravagant gesture of a great doctor… and of course, the gracious, sacrificial love of an eight-year-old big sister!
Some might say, “Well, it was only one dollar and eleven cents”… but, it was all she had! She gave all she had to save her little brother… that’s an extravagant gift! But it’s more than a great story. It’s the kind of story that reminds us of the extravagant gift God gave to save our lives in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus too gave His all to save our lives.
The story John tells of Mary’s extravagance is powerful, because it reminds us in a dramatic way that the spirit of Christ can empower and enable us… to be extravagant in our generosity, to be extravagant in our gratitude, and to be extravagant in our graciousness to the glory and honor of God.
Amen