Filling the house with fragrance
by Dianne Eckermann
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Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Read John 12:1–11
Most of us have probably experienced a time when a powerful scent has been able to take us back to another time or place. Each time I smell fresh chestnuts roasting, I remember a special visit to the old produce market with my grandfather when I was a small child. Not only do I remember the smell of chestnuts, but I also remember how safe and special I felt walking through the market with my grandfather as he held my hand as we delivered his farm produce to the market sellers.
Our senses connect us to our world. They not only help to keep us safe, but they also help us to enjoy the world around us. When Mary pours expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet, she is honouring him, demonstrating her devotion and worshipping him. The simple sentence, ‘And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume’, shows how her actions filled the house with honour, devotion, worship and the pure joy Mary had in the presence of Jesus.
And yet, there were other less joyful emotions present at the same time. We hear the voice of Judas condemning her actions by appearing to support the poor while, all along, using his position to fraudulently take money entrusted to him. Crowds of people have come to see Jesus and Lazarus, fascinated by this living proof of Jesus’ power over death. However, John also tells us the high priests, alarmed by the support flowing to Jesus, are plotting against both Jesus and Lazarus. There is much happening behind the scenes of this visit to the home of Lazarus that is not evident to those who were present. Jesus reveals that even the perfume used by Mary has another purpose; it was intended to anoint his body after death.
This brief account of a dinner honouring Jesus while visiting his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha is a joyful event. But John exposes the plotting and danger closing in around Jesus. Jesus knows what is about to happen. Judas knows he is betraying Jesus. Despite this, what remains important is the lingering fragrance of the perfume used by Mary. It is the fragrance of honour, love and worship. It is also an ongoing reminder of Jesus in the lives of all who were present and for all who continue to welcome Jesus into their lives.
Dear Jesus, we welcome you into our lives and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for all people. We ask for your forgiveness for those times we have not honoured you as we should and pray we reflect the joy of your presence in our lives to those around us. Amen.
Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.
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