Preparation

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." John 12:1–8 (RSV)

Jesus came to supper at Lazarus' home in Bethany. Mary and Martha were there, as were the disciples. I wonder how they greeted Jesus, who had raised Lazarus from the dead. In our home, it would be the best meal Jackie could create. The company china would be set on the table. We would uncork the outstanding wine we had been saving for such an occasion. Matt would smoke a small mountain of ribs that among the best in the state.

Everything would be our effort to thank Jesus for the miracle He had wrought. I do not doubt that this supper at Bethany would be anything less than the very best. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary knew it could not begin to repay Jesus, but they offered the meal as a beginning.

A custom of hospitality was to provide your guest with the opportunity to clean their feet. The journey would be a dusty one; providing this small kindness was a sign of welcome. That day, Mary went beyond the expected, using the costliest ointment she had. She anointed Jesus' feet. In the act of humility and love, she wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. Their home was filled with the aroma of the pure nard.

St. John has no kind words for Judas Iscariot. Judas' protest was not out of concern for the poor but hoped to line his own pockets. St. John also recorded that the ointment was worth nearly a year's wages. Whatever Judas' motives, that much money could do much for the poor. But this moment was preparing a blessing for the poor far beyond a few coins.

'She is preparing me for my burial, save what is left to use on the day I am laid in my grave.' No one there could grasp what Jesus had spoken. Jesus' burial was closer than any could have guessed. The means by which He would die a thing no one that night could imagine.

Jesus has come to offer a treasure more excellent than all the costly ointment. He comes to give to all, the poor and the mighty, the blessing of forgiveness, entry into the Kingdom.