Splurging on Love

Scripture: John 12:8 – “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (NRSVue)

According to John’s Gospel, a week before Jesus was crucified, he was staying with his friends, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary in their house in Bethany. During dinner, Mary brought out a pound jar of “pure nard” oil, known for its wonderful scent. Today, unmixed nard can cost thousands of dollars, and this is with easy access to the Himalayas where it is grown. In the first century, this was quite the luxury item. And yet, Mary took the nard and anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped it with her hair. She did this to show her love. She wanted to let him smell the beautiful oil often used for burials while he was still alive.

Once the jar was opened, it could not be resold.  Judas suggested that it could have been sold for a year’s wages, which would be tens of thousands of dollars today. What a waste! He suggested that money could have been used to help the poor and hungry all around them. While the Gospel suggests that Judas was disingenuous with this statement, perhaps hoping to skim some cash off the top of the coffers, his idea is not wrong. Why waste money needed for real needs for a luxurious experience?

But what Jesus says next has been one of the most interesting, and perhaps damaging, things in all the gospels. “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Many people have taken these words to indicate that worrying about the poor is a waste of time, since even Jesus says they would always be around. Rather, one should be like Mary, and spend their time, energy, and money worshiping Jesus.

But this is not the lesson of the story at all. In the Acts of the Apostles and throughout the epistles of Paul, we see the importance of selling possessions to help those in greatest need. Charity and justice were essential parts of the Christian faith from the beginning.

So why did Mary do it? I think it is because it was a one-time thing. Mary was splurging on someone she loved.

Have you ever gone to a fancy restaurant or on a romantic getaway? Have you ever given a nice Christmas or birthday present? Have you ever gotten a little treat? These are all examples of things we should not regularly be doing with our money. But on rare occasions, these gestures are special. They help us to remember that some people are more important to us than money. To Mary, on that one night, this was a unique chance to do something special.

This week, as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection with special services, think about the special occasions which you splurge on. Think of the special people and special memories associated with them. Let these memories of love inspire you to be more loving in your day-to-day life, both to your family and to those in need in your community. If we splurged all the time, it wouldn’t be special. But when we show love through our generosity to those in need, it always is.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me remember your love on special occasions and on humdrum days for I know you are always with me. Amen.