Preparing for Palm Sunday

 

During the season of Lent, we’ve opened our hearts and whole lives to the narrative of Lazarus.  We witnessed the fierce faithfulness of Martha and Mary who loved Jesus enough to look him in the eyes to tell him how much it hurt that Jesus didn’t come to hold the hand of Lazarus before Lazarus died.  We celebrated how such heartfelt honesty is a both a prayer and invitation for us.  We stood as Jesus wept outside the tomb as a wave of grief at his friend’s death washed over him.  We have watched the stone be rolled back, even as some in the crowd said, “But the stench!?”  Because when we do hard, holy things, when we come to the tombs of life today that try to confine people, the aromas of suffering and struggle are never pleasant.  We pondered what was it like for Lazarus and what it is like for you to feel bound up by others comments and your own editorial board chattering in your mind? 

 

If you keep reading after the resurrection of Lazarus, you will see that the authorities begin to plot and plan to kill Jesus.  When someone has power over life and death, it will always frighten those who cling to human power and prestige and privilege.  If Jesus could conquer death, there would be no stopping him. 

 

In chapter 12 we read, “Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”  (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)”

 

Mary anoints Jesus and perhaps this moment inspired Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet in the next chapter.  Judas protests.  Judas who will be contracted and convinced by the powers that be to betray Jesus.  To be sure, Judas has a point that if the perfume was sold, the money could have done a world of good.  At the same time, John’s parenthetical comments make it clear that Judas did not speak from a place of compassion or care but rather just to be a contrarian.  Or perhaps he wants to blame and shame Mary.  Or maybe he wanted a point on some imaginary scoreboard in his soul.  We are not sure of his motivation. 

 

This week, we are preparing for Palm Sunday by asking, who might you offer your care for in your life?  Can you channel your inner-Mary and reach out with extravagant embrace?  This could be a handwritten note to someone in our church you have not seen in over two years.  This could be calling someone you know who will be spending Easter alone to invite the person to a meal.  This could be reaching out to someone who is grieving to listen without trying to rationalize the pain.  Let these suggestions inspire your imagination as you find ways to share God’s love in a tactile and tangible efforts.  As you prepare for Palm Sunday, may your heart be open to the One who rides on, rides on in majesty upon a humble colt into our lives in six days.