Part III : The Worth
“You made known to me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
“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 the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made form 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. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me”. (John 12:1-8).e
With artful skill and attention to detail, this scene has been narrated before us. Like a grand painting — we are invited to consider the setting, the composition, the different characters and their postures, the stark contrasts of light and darkness, color and dullness. This scene helps train our eyes and senses to recognize and discern what is truly the aroma of life and what is the aroma of death. We may begin to understand the difference of those who worship Christ, and those who worship themselves and their own desires.
Upon closer investigation, one may see the careful attention and forethought that went into this dinner. A profound display of affection was purposefully prepared and Martha began to serve. Notice the posture of this once-dead man, Lazarus, now — reclining with the one who called him out of the tomb (John 11:38-44). He sits very close beside the one who claimed himself to be: “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Now, the foreground of the text moves and the spotlight turns on Mary as she humbly approaches God in flesh. She quietly brought her most precious possession and began to anoint Jesus’ feet. Feet that were to be driven into a cross, yet only six days later. It was the understanding of his immeasurable worth that inclined her heart to humbly associate herself with what was dirty and low, and so honor Christ with what was pure, valuable, and fragrant. As the precious ointment spilled, so did the aroma of her adoration, the beauty of true worship, and the fragrance of love.
Surely the foreground of the text is here — a focus of honor, worship, and worth. While panning toward those in the background, we observe the expressions of ignorant disgust and self-righteousness. Judas, in charge of the moneybag, masked his greed with mockery of this “waste”.
From this passage, we see how it is the understanding of the weight and worth of who Christ is that ushers true displays of affection to beautifully pour forth. Christ says, “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). To know him is eternal life (John 20:21). It is He who makes known to us the path of life, and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
Afterall, what could cause two fishermen to stand before trial for proclaiming the gospel, testifying that this good news was akin to fire shut up in their bones? What could cause John Calvin to give his life to the study of scripture? Jim Elliot to welcome the spear in moving toward the unreached? Elizabeth Elliot to share the gospel hope with those who speared him down? Love for Christ, after all — a revealed understanding of his infinite worth, which ushered the beautiful fruit of obedience in love. Even unto death.
The initially frustrating, yet oddly comforting words of John Berridge come to mind: “There is no human tongue that can ever set forth his beauties as they deserve to be told… Living tongues are dumb at best, we must die to speak of Christ”.
Painting by: Daniel F. Gerhartz