Monday of Holy Week, April 3, 2023
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
You do not always have me
They gave a dinner for Jesus, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those eating with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus. Then she  dried his feet with her hair.
Jesus wasn’t often treated this way. Irish scholar John Dominic Crossan says, “Jesus is what God looks like in sandals.” But Mary looked at him and loved him. And Jesus received her gift.
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
In those few words, Jesus rebuked Judas and gave Mary her long-suffering opportunity to worship God, wash his feet, and honor the moment. In just a few days Jesus would be crucified. But who could know that then?
Judas knew the monetary value of Mary’s nard (he was a “nard nerd” – sorry …). But Jesus recognized the truth, goodness and beauty of Mary’s desire to worship, and how the nard made that possible. But of course they all knew that nard was used in burial ointment. Where was Jesus headed? Wasn’t he going to Jerusalem? Weren’t the police after him?
Until now Jesus walked away from confrontations with the police, or congressmen, or the judges, or the Pharisees. He walked right through them. But now, hand in hand with his Father, he knew there was little time for him left on earth. Those sandals would soon be pulled off his feet and thrown into the corner of his cell.
The large crowd of the Jews found out he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests? They plotted, to kill both Lazarus and Jesus, because many of the Jews were turning and away and believing in Jesus because of Lazarus.
Did Lazarus die too, so soon after his own resurrection? I don’t think we know. Would Mary and Martha have forgiven Jesus for their ill-fated friendship? I think we know they would.
After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem yesterday he stepped out again, and on this Monday of Holy Week we can watch Jesus with his friends, feasting with them, living the good life for another day or two. Judas didn’t recognize it, but it was time for his friends to handle Jesus gently.
A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench.
Jesus … stepping into the power of God, but Jesus too … walking in the weakness of his humanity.
This man will establish justice on the earth, and even the coastlands will wait for his teaching. I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand. I formed you and set you as a covenant of the people and a light for the nations.
This Jesus, both the man and the son of God? This Jesus God? We pray in the name of Jesus. We ask for healing in the name of Jesus. We call out for justice and mercy in the name of Jesus.
I formed you to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
It’s Monday, but Sunday’s comin’.
 (Isaiah 42, Psalm 27, John 12)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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