USEFUL WASTE
SCRIPTURE
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
-John 12:3-5
Jesus and his disciples enjoyed leisure time at the home of Lazarus after Jesus brought him back to life. Mary entered with a jar and stood behind Jesus, who reclined at the table. Before anyone noticed, she broke the jar and poured the expensive oil on Jesus's head. Confusion settled in the group. Judas believed she was wasting expensive oil that could have been sold to help the poor.
Before you point a finger, think about taking a year's worth of your take-home pay and splurging on a thank-you gift for the surgeon who saved your loved one's life. Would it be irresponsible or generous? The problem is that there is no formula here.
However, we do have Jesus's response, which indicates that he thought she had done a beautiful thing.
The story reminds us that there is a time when waste is generous and hoarding is closed-hearted. There is a time when pouring it on is better than giving up merely a drop or two. There is a time when monetary value is irrelevant and only the heart can measure the gift.
Whom would we have been in this scene? One of the indignant witnesses who saw the waste? One of the quiet ones waiting for Jesus's response? Or someone who wished they had thought of doing such a beautiful thing?
Jesus's teaching here is that we will lose what we hold too tightly and gain what we think we have given up. It is the practice of useful waste. Sometimes useful waste is playing with your children instead of trying to get ahead on bills, groceries, or maintenance projects. Sometimes useful waste drops everything when a neighbor needs a ride to the doctor. We can't choose opportunities for useful waste; they choose us.
Jesus reminds us that what we do for others in these unexpected moments, we do for him. We anoint him with the oil of thanksgiving for what he has brought to our lives. We follow him to the cross, where there is no place for our will to take priority. It is useful waste, and to Jesus, it will always be a beautiful gift.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Who are you in this scene: the one who practices useful waste or the one who criticizes it?
2. How can you live more generously with your time, money, skill, or energy?
AFFIRMATION
The more I acknowledge Jesus's generosity toward me, the more I want to be generous to others.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Merciful Lord, teach me where I can give more love, forgiveness, and second chances in the extravagant ways you continue to give them to me.
SCRIPTURE
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
-John 12:3-5
Jesus and his disciples enjoyed leisure time at the home of Lazarus after Jesus brought him back to life. Mary entered with a jar and stood behind Jesus, who reclined at the table. Before anyone noticed, she broke the jar and poured the expensive oil on Jesus's head. Confusion settled in the group. Judas believed she was wasting expensive oil that could have been sold to help the poor.
Before you point a finger, think about taking a year's worth of your take-home pay and splurging on a thank-you gift for the surgeon who saved your loved one's life. Would it be irresponsible or generous? The problem is that there is no formula here.
However, we do have Jesus's response, which indicates that he thought she had done a beautiful thing.
The story reminds us that there is a time when waste is generous and hoarding is closed-hearted. There is a time when pouring it on is better than giving up merely a drop or two. There is a time when monetary value is irrelevant and only the heart can measure the gift.
Whom would we have been in this scene? One of the indignant witnesses who saw the waste? One of the quiet ones waiting for Jesus's response? Or someone who wished they had thought of doing such a beautiful thing?
Jesus's teaching here is that we will lose what we hold too tightly and gain what we think we have given up. It is the practice of useful waste. Sometimes useful waste is playing with your children instead of trying to get ahead on bills, groceries, or maintenance projects. Sometimes useful waste drops everything when a neighbor needs a ride to the doctor. We can't choose opportunities for useful waste; they choose us.
Jesus reminds us that what we do for others in these unexpected moments, we do for him. We anoint him with the oil of thanksgiving for what he has brought to our lives. We follow him to the cross, where there is no place for our will to take priority. It is useful waste, and to Jesus, it will always be a beautiful gift.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Who are you in this scene: the one who practices useful waste or the one who criticizes it?
2. How can you live more generously with your time, money, skill, or energy?
AFFIRMATION
The more I acknowledge Jesus's generosity toward me, the more I want to be generous to others.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Merciful Lord, teach me where I can give more love, forgiveness, and second chances in the extravagant ways you continue to give them to me.
Posted in Lent