Extravagance for Jesus

Apparently okay in particular circumstances.

So just as soon as we’ve got it settled that what we do to those in need is what we do to Jesus the King - HELP THE POOR! - we get this little, but not insignificant story.

[Read the passage below and come back?]

Maybe it’s not about money. Primarily. Or firstly, at least.

We will not completely escape the use of money. Resources are part of creation.

Yet the parable of the sheep & goats didn’t mention money, did it? The king spoke of action (“what you do”). It’s notable that this included presence - being with each of those people. Perhaps what Jesus knows is that by being present with people in situation of need greater than ours, our resources will more likely follow.

Matthew 25:1-13

When Jesus finished speaking all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that the Passover is two days from now. And the Human One will be handed over to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest. They were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning tricks and to kill him. But they agreed that it shouldn’t happen during the feast so there wouldn’t be an uproar among the people.

When Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease, a woman came to him with a vase made of alabaster containing very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head while he was sitting at dinner. Now when the disciples saw it they were angry and said, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor.”

But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She’s done a good thing for me. You always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. By pouring this perfume over my body she’s prepared me to be buried. I tell you the truth that wherever in the whole world this good news is announced, what she’s done will also be told in memory of her.”

Prayer

God,

I confess I would have been like the disciples who saw the poured out perfume and thought it should have been better used sold, with proceeds to some kind of social need. There have been times when I’ve walked into a church building and saw, for instance, a large marble wall or edifice or something that cost more than the whole annual budget of “little” churches I’ve served. Or those huge crosses along the highway (WHY!?)

I’m just being honest, Lord.

Give me greater vision, God. I know you care for the poor. I do, too. So help my care to align with yours, to know what the nature of care and concern even is. May my feelings of action be true compassion and not simply a desire to make a difference for my own sake or for the sake of the Church.

Give me confidence in your admonition that what we do in secret is what matters. I’ve been so trained to concern myself with appearances. So help me, God.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.