What a Dinner Party! John 12:1-11
Introduction
I wonder what the most memorable dinner party or meal is that you have ever had? Think about it, what made it memorable, was it memorable for good reasons or bad reasons? Was it memorable for the food and drink, the company, the place or the occasion? The gospels are full of stories about meals that Jesus had with various people. These meals were obviously very memorable for the people who were there for them to be recorded in the way that they are. In just over a week’s time we will be commemorating the most memorable meal of Jesus’ life, the one where he said “Do this in remembrance of me” and which forms the basis of our worship today. Before that however we have this remarkable story of a dinner party at Bethany.
Before looking at the more controversial aspects let’s establish the basics. The party was held at Bethany (not far from Jerusalem) at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We know that these were particular friends of Jesus, all the more so since he raised Lazarus from the dead. The party is given “in honour” of Jesus. I suspect this was their way of saying thank you to him. The scene is set, all seems quite normal, Martha is serving, Lazarus reclining at table along with Jesus and at least some of his disciples.
Then, as so often seemed to happen at the meals Jesus partook in, things took an unexpected turn. What are the three topics of conversation which we are told to avoid at dinner parties? – sex, politics and religion – we have all three here!
Sex
Obviously by this I don’t mean that the party turned into some kind of orgy, but just think of the sensual nature of Mary’s act of devotion. The aroma of the costly nard filling the room, the shock in those days of a lady letting down her hair. The humility of anointing feet rather than head. However else you might interpret this action, it was an outpouring of devotion.
Politics
The response to this costly, sensual action was a political one. “Why wasn’t the perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” In many ways a totally reasonable response and one with which many of us I am sure can empathise. What an extravagant waste of money when there were so many needy people around. There is not time to give a detailed response to this, just a couple of pointers. Whilst addressing the physical needs of the impoverished, there is more to life than what we can touch and see. Secondly, in a very real way Jesus associates with the poor and outcasts so that by serving him we are serving them.
Religion
The timing of this incident, as recorded by John, points to the deeper meaning behind Mary’s act. It is an anticipation of the anointing of Jesus’ body following his death on the cross. In a similar way the raising of Lazarus which had prompted this dinner party anticipates the resurrection of Jesus.
Application
The final twist in the tale of this dinner party is the turning of an intimate event into a public spectacle. A large crowd of Jews came to see what was happening, many of them were “going over” to Jesus and putting their faith in him. The dinner party may have broken the conventions but what an outcome! I have commented in my Transept letter about the mixture of intimacy and public event in the Easter story which is well illustrated here. An intimate dinner party becomes a public spectacle. As we celebrate Holy Week this year let us enter into both – the public spectacle and the intimate occasions.