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.