Mar. 25, 2007 - Listening on The Way

Also, “I Am” – our youth group – will be leading worship for the Wendell Foster Center this Sunday at 2:30 pm. Please keep the group in your prayers – including Cynthia Grassman who will be leading the youth choir. If you would like to join our group and worship with us, please plan to leave the church at 2:00 pm.

“I Am”: please remember to stick around after church this Sunday so we can rehearse and prepare for worship in the afternoon.

Devotion:
Ex.trav.a.gant, adj. 1. spending (esp. money) excessively. 2. costing much. 3. unreasonable; absurd.

Synonyms: 1. lavish, immoderate, wasteful, reckless. 2. exorbitant, expensive, overpriced. 3. wild, outrageous, flamboyant, exaggerated; unjustified.[1]

When Mary decided to anoint Jesus’ feet by caressing them with costly perfume, we don’t know exactly what she was thinking – just that she wanted to say “thanks.” It’s a good thing we don’t know exactly because “love has reasons which reason cannot understand,” as Blaise Pascal said. Generous, honest love cannot be accounted for or summed up; it can only be expressed.

However, for the critical and calculating person the event seemed extravagant. This much perfume was simply too much – filling the whole room and spilling out into the streets. The scent would dominate for days. Not to mention the cost – a whole years wages lost in a matter of minutes – poured out and used up! This was silly, … completely uncalled for! Besides, as Judas, pointed out, there are other places that need this money.

Judas’ accusation was that Mary’s act was extravagant – at least in the truest sense of the word. It was lavish and excessive, which ultimately meant it was absurd. The cost did not mirror the result. But, sadly, it was Judas whose view was skewed, not Mary’s. In reality, Mary was spot on – lavishing love upon Jesus in a way that was completely appropriate, willing to serve and prepare Jesus for his own great act of love.

There is much about faith and worship that appear extravagant and absurd to those on the “outside looking in.” I’m not simply talking about rituals or architecture of the church, either. No, I mean the intimate, personal matters of faith – devotion and discipline, serving and following.

But, to someone who has experienced the redemptive, transforming and renewing love of God in Jesus Christ – like Mary – there really isn’t anything too costly or too precious to offer in adoration and thanksgiving. Mary knew that nothing was too good for God, but she also knew a pound of costly perfume was a good place to start.

Mary knew that “love has reasons that reason cannot understand.”

Something to Chew On:
Mary’s anointing of Jesus comes to have great meaning beyond what even she may have been able to imagine. Are you aware of a benevolent act that created more of an impact than the giver could have imagined?

Have you ever been the recipient of an extremely generous and emotional gift?

Jonathan often comments that the only appropriate response to grace is gratitude. What acts, disciplines or impromptu moments in your life have graciously responded to God’s grace?

Prayer for the day:
“Extravagant God, pour out your love and mercy on us this day. Hear our prayers and open our hearts to know the joy of your presence and the joy of lavishing upon others the gifts we receive from you. Amen.” - Seasons of the Spirit: Ages 12-14. Pg. 21

[1] The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus.

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