A bit of nard can go a long way

If you took a bottle of perfume, worth in the region of £20,000 that you had been keeping for a very, very, very special occasion... and then just went ahead and smashed it, everyone would wonder why you would do such a random and wasteful thing - and then maybe pass comment that the whole house now reaks of something that was meant to be used gradually, rarely, infrequently.

If you smashed the bottle then poured the contents onto someone’s feet, then dried those feet with your hair – not only would you get the attention of everyone in the room, but they would think you were being crazy.

Someone was so convinced of the authority and destiny of Jesus that she did that very thing.

 

However, never one to add much feelgood factor, Judas Iscariot thought this was a total waste - surely something so valuable should be sold and the money used to help people. It was worth a years wages after all. Weirdly, the bible then says Judas Iscariot didn't do this out of kindness, but because he was a 'keeper of the moneybag'. So Judas 'laugh a minute' Iscariot was probably gritting his teeth and totally disgusted at this outrageous display of adoration and affection.

People might have that attitude if you make a choice that shows a financial or spiritual loyalty to a church. Having a faith, and living it out can cause us to make some dramatic decisions. Ones that invite criticism or frustration.

Jesus gave a direct response to Judas Iscariot. An blunt response and a fair one.

Prioritise.

 

Jesus was born and died. Fact. He told people he was the son of God. Fact. He was treated in a way that made him feel scared and alone. Fact. He was condemned by the authorities to die for what he said and did. Fact. He was beaten, abused and sentenced with a criminal’s execution to die - hanging on a piece of wood and held there with nails. Fact.

The last fact is up to you: do you believe that he was who he said he was? That he died so that we might have eternal life?

If you do - then you need to be ready to smash some bottles and smell out some houses.

Read John 12: 1-11 Jesus geeks.

(c) Arlene Oakley