This is “a pretty strange story.” It has captured the imagination of Christian people for almost 2,000 years.
It also has captured the imaginations of artists the world over.
It actually appears (in one form or another) in all four of the gospel accounts, although the details do vary, it is obviously still the same story.
I see it, as being just “a very strange story”…albeit “a famous one.”
It has been called “sensual,” “emotionally charged,” “emotionally riveting,” “tender,” “sexual,” “loving” and a classic. The story has been told and retold throughout history which “kind of surprises me.”
It is about a radical departure from proper customs – between men and women and skirts the unknown area of taboos.
When I hear the story read, I feel like a voyeur. It is like we are looking at – some incident that we should not be witnessing. It is a private and personal moment, no matter what the motivation behind it.
To be invited into this room is uncomfortable-at-best and awkward-for-sure.
I do not wish to be an observer.
I am also sure that everyone in the room at the time felt the awkwardness and the embarrassment of the moment.
There is little in the way of conversation.
The incident happens right before the Passover, near Jerusalem, in the little village of Bethany.
The incident happens in a home apparently owned by someone named Simon in three of the Gospels.
A particular woman unnamed in three of the gospel accounts, but later named by John the evangelist…takes a pound of expensive perfume or pure nard, valued at 300 Denarii, that amounts to – three hundred days of work.
In an extravagant move this woman takes the exorbitantly expensive perfume, lets down her tightly wrapped hair, allows her hair to fall around her and proceeds to wash the feet of Jesus.
John and John alone identifies her as being Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
Mary the listener… Mary the emotionally charged one… Mary, the sensitive soul… Mary who was prone to tears…
She falls at Jesus’ feet as he lies reclined at the table. It was as if, she knew something that the “others” did not know…or did not yet realize…or perhaps, did not or could not understand.
Luke tells us that she wet his feet with her tears, wiped his feet with her hair, kissed his feet, and then anointed his feet with the expensive perfume.
It was a most loving and tender gesture, so intimate…maybe even a little “too intimate.”
Again we are voyeurs…and it is uncomfortable.
Women do not uncover their heads in front of men.
They do not let their hair down in front of any man accept for their husbands.
They do not directly and publicly touch a man.
They would never reach out and touch a “holy man” or a rabbi…much less caress his feet.
Awkward!
Time Out!
TMI!
What is going on here…and why the popularity of the story?
There is this Christmas poem that I like. Maybe you have heard it, it goes like this:
What can I give him poor as I am. If I were a shepherd, I would give him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What shall I give him? I will give him my heart.
I think herein lies the reason for her actions…we get the sense that this woman has given her heart of Jesus.
I think too, that John the evangelist is inviting us – as well, to consider giving our love for Jesus.
He who loves us unconditionally…
He who died for us and for our sins…
He who forgives us…
He who promised to never leave us or abandon us…
He who has promised to prepare a place for us…
He who has gone on ahead of us…
What can I give him in return? How can I show my thanks and my praise? If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Maybe the story isn’t so strange after all!