John 12, Title Renamed. Curious?

Originally titled "Getting Sticky With Jesus", but thought better.. It IS a better name for it, however.


So PAY ATTENTION!


While I was reading through John 12 getting ready for the message this weekend at Van Dyke Church, there was a segment that stood out.


Here we have a somewhat strange story sandwiched in the middle of two epic events.  We have a party happening at a (former) Leper's house.  Yes, Simon the Leper (thanks for labeling people).  Lazarus was there (after he was raised from the dead) and Martha was back to her old gig: serve, serve, serve.  (Good to see Jesus held no ill will after she let him have it over letting her brother die..and he did bring him back from the dead, so go figure.  Better man than me.)


Jesus is reclining at the table, I imagine they are laughing, talking, eating.  All of a sudden Mary appears with an alabaster jar with a pound of pure nard.  Most of us would give a strange look, but think nothing of it.  
THEY, however, knew better.  This was a VERY expensive perfume/oil.  How much you ask?  Anywhere between $12,000-$30,000 worth.  Needless to say, she had their attention.


She walks over, cracks the top off and starts pouring this stuff ALL OVER JESUS!  Can't you just see the guys in the room?  


*Slow motion*: Eyes get big, hands start to raise. Table gets knocked around as they attempt to stand. "No o o o o o!" They yell.


Too late.  The fragrance would have burnt your nose it was so strong.  Good luck trying to get this stuff out of your wardrobe or the smell off your skin.  Skunks have nothing on this (but this smells WAY better)


While Judas got ticked and started yelling at her, Jesus told him to politely "Shut up" and "Leave her alone."


Now she paid no mind to the disciples or Judas.  


*Here is where you would have enjoyed the title*
Understand, her interrupting this would have been a bother.  Her coming in with oil and anointing Jesus would have been reason for a strong rebuke.  With this special India import that is usually collected, you would have been locked away in a mental asylum.  But what happens next, put it to the disturbing level:


"She wiped his feet with her hair."


What, you may ask?  Yeah.  Understand that in this culture, many times only prostitutes had their hair down.  A proper woman would have always had her hair up and done nicely.  And the act of wiping his feet with her hair? This would have been downright EROTIC.
The guys there would have been beside themselves!  There was nothing appropriate about this.  This is the Messiah!  This is their Rabbi and God!


And THIS!!??


But Jesus saw her heart.  He saw through the action to the meaning.  She came to Him with full out extravagance.  She let Him know that He means more to her than any money, pride, reputation or anything else this world has to offer.  In that, Jesus sat there and let her worship Him.


She got it.  Her heart was all in.  Her life was all His. THAT is what life is all about. That is the key to life in it's fullest.


Give it a try.  You will never be the same.

Well hello there, God. Didn't see you there.

The future seems vague and life piles on. The truth becomes dusty and the battles rarely won. It seems pain is reality and while you forge ahead, each step seems distant and walking is like lead (the metal, duh). The battle rages around you and you scarcely know its toll. Until one day you wake up and feel dull in your soul. Where do you turn from here, what in the world is to be done? Put on your armor. There is a life to be won.

Well, I didn't plan on writing that. God used to allow me to write small poems back years ago, but its been at least 10 since I have. It just came out in a matter of 5 minutes, and I feel it helps to encapsulate where I have been. So. Thanks God. (And Nick Williamson for reminding me that God used to speak to me in poems as well)

This last week in North Carolina was a very wonderful and refining time (not always so wonderful). While I went int to the week physically prepared for what was to come, I didn't head into it mentally or spiritually prepared. I came to remember that these are weeks that God gets my attention on things that I have pushed to the side and He won't let me shove them off any longer. It is great and painful all at the same time.

It came clear in retrospect that I was not pushed to my limit once physically on the trip. I always could have gone more. But the telling point for me was this:

I was standing near the top of the 60ft tower climb and in front of me were 2 ropes with knots. I was told to jump out (a long ways in the air), grab them and climb by Brian (counselor and belayer..guy who has me anchored and roped). I stared at it as it was not my intended route to the top. He yelled "You can do it" and gave a hard tug on the rope that almost sent me off the side. I remember shooting him a look and turning around to take the log pole up the rest of the way.

Thus encapsulates much of my week. And my teachable moment.

I could have, and SHOULD have jumped. Even if I slipped, Brian was there. But I mentally caved and took an easier route. I justified it by telling myself I still took a "harder" route.

But I missed the real challenge.

I look back at that as my defining moment of how I lived the week. Always within my control of what I knew I could do. Keep everything within my control. No risk, no looking like an idiot.

Wow.

And the whole time a war was raging inside to push, push, push and break that. While I resisted, fought and acted like a little kid.

Needless to say, much will be taken from this trip. I am grateful for the conversations that challenged me and the lives that were touched this week. I cannot wait to go back and live this week differently next year.

But most importantly, I know how I am going to live THIS adventure, THIS life. I am ready to live intentionally and on purpose. Fear will not rule. I will jump for the rope.

I don't want to miss a minute of what God has in store.