Jesus, therefore, came to Bethany, says the gospel-er John. He came to Bethany because there has been an order from the Jerusalem hierarchy for Jesus to be arrested. He is on the road to the cross, on the road to Jerusalem...the end is in sight. How will he prepare himself for this final journey? How will we prepare ourselves to accompanhy him? The visit to Bethany gives us insight.

Bethany had been the site of Lazarus's resurrection. Jesus' return is a cause for a meal at which are three family members, each receiving him in their own unique ways: Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. Martha is serving (diakonio...deacon--not a bad thing, one would think). Lazarus has joined the rest of the male disciples, reclining at the table; also a responsive posture to affirm. Mary, on the other hand, takes a pound of pure nard, she anoints Jesus' feet, and wipes them with her hair. Now here is the rub.

When you think about it, all three displayed acts of discipleship: Martha in serving, Lazarus in listening and learning, but Mary's was an act of profound discipleship, similar to, but far greater than those of Martha and Lazarus. Mary's act was a service to her teacher and at the same time an act of profound self-abasement. Mary's actions make her the symbol of the ultimate disciple. She put her wealth (a year's wageworth of pure nard) and her honor (bathing his feet and wiping them with her unbound hair) at the disposal of her teacher, our Lord. Her own act of self-giving love would be an example that Jesus, himself would follow.

Judas, on the other hand, stands in stark contrast. His concern for the cost of the nard--or more accurately, as John tells us, for what he could have stolen of that money--stands in stark opposition to Mary's humble posture. He has given himself to the riches of the community; she has given herself completely to Jesus. And so, when Judas challenges Jesus to condemn Mary for her action, Jesus responds to Judas that what she has done is a good thing. It is preparation for his burial. Yes the money could have been used for the poor and there will be plenty of time to care for them, too. For now, though, she is tending to what is most important...preparing for the Passion of our Lord. Judas does not get it, but Jesus is foreshadowing the moment of surprise when Judas finally learns that it is not Mary who has betrays him, but Judas, himself.

To understand it even more clearly one must see the Greek. Just as Mary "anointed Jesus' feet, <tous podas> and wiped them with her hair <ekmasso>," so Jesus, in imitation of Mary, will wash the disciple's feet <tous podas> and wipe them with a towel <ekmasso> when he soon joins his friends in the upper room for the last supper. John's repetition of the Greek words (usually translated a bit differently, so not obvious to us) is likely intentional...the same words in both places. Just as Mary humbled, even humiliated herself in an act of discipleship, Jesus will follow her lead and humble, no humiliate, himself to show true service to those at his last supper.

A Savior of Profound Saving

The poignancy of the meal in Bethany, in the shadow of Jesus' last meal, his arrest, torture, crucifixion, and death is real. What does it mean to celebrate the feast of Christ in the face of mortality? In most of our congregations we celebrate Holy Communion weekly which is a good thing...but is this just a ritual act for us or do we understand that this is really a meal of the people of God who gather around the table of the one who washes our feet in humility and compassion?

How will we approach the table as this season of Lent begins to wind down? Will we find, like Mary, that God is opening the door to a new thing? Will we see in her demonstration of what it means to leave all of the former things behind and not to recall them, the ability to do the same? Will we claim Mary's "new thing," a new model of discipleship and service so radical that Jesus himself imitates it as he serves his own disciples and washes their feet? In the Gospel for Lent 5, God's profound act of self-less love and humility is modeled for us, that we, forgiven, washed, nourished at the table, may similarly serve others in the world.
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Offering Challenge from the North Central West Conference

In January the NCW Conference held a fund-raising event at Briarwood to raise funds to support Pr. Kate Warn, our Pastor-in-Residence in Sierra Leone. The dinner was hosted by the pastors who invited a table or two of members from each of their congregations. Hearing the story of our relationship with the ELCSL led them to donations of nearly $8000 in one evening. Now they are challenging every Conference to strive to bring $5000 minimally for this year's Synod Assembly offering. With a need of about $60,000 to support Pastor Warn each year, this will nearly fully fund an entire year of her support.

In addition, your Synod Assembly offerings will help pay the expense of sending the container to Sierra Leone which will provide over 300,000 servings of soup/stew, items for medical care, school supplies, carpentry tools, and musical instruments for the youth ministry in the ELCSL. The container will be blessed and sent on it's way on Saturday (Download the list if needed items)

Please be generous as you consider your Synod Assembly Offerings this year as we strive to reach a goal of $75,000 at this year's assembly . Encourage others to join you in this venture of faith.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
+Bp. Kevin