Have you ever wondered what God’s love smells like? Is it reminiscent of the sweet scent of honeysuckle on a warm spring day or the refreshing fragrance of a salty ocean breeze? Surprisingly, in the story of Lazarus in John 12, God’s love is embodied in the scent of Lazarus himself, who has just been raised from the dead after four days in a tomb.
Imagine the scene as Lazarus’s friends and loved ones gather in his home at Bethany for a celebratory dinner. Lazarus, now alive again, sits at the table, recounting his experience of being dead and the blinding light that greeted him as he emerged from the tomb. Although he has been bathed, a faint scent of myrrh lingers around him, and a few twigs of cloves remain stuck in his hair. The guests are greeted by the enticing aromas of freshly baked bread and a succulent roasted calf, drawing them eagerly to the table.
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Amidst the lively conversations and shared meals, Mary quietly enters the room, holding her best bottle of fragrant oil. Approaching Jesus without a word, she kneels, uncorks the bottle, and pours the entire contents over his feet. Jesus, savoring the sensation, closes his eyes as the cool oil soothes his dusty, calloused, and tired feet. The captivating aroma fills the air, surpassing even the scent of the sumptuous feast before them. Mary’s act demonstrates that God’s unwavering love is even stronger than the overpowering smell of death, and it will triumph over Jesus’ impending demise.
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Reflecting on my time as an associate pastor in Atlanta, I recall encountering individuals seeking solace from their outward signs of poverty. One particular afternoon, I met a man who had gone days without bathing. Despite the potential discomfort and skepticism surrounding his condition, I spent over 30 minutes counseling him in a small office. When I emerged, nearby individuals wondered how I could endure the smell. Some might consider it wasteful to spend time listening to the man’s paranoid rants. However, God’s plan for generosity of spirit does not abide by the notion that “a little dab’ll do ya” when it comes to extending care and compassion to those in need.
Judas, catching a whiff of Mary’s precious perfume, questions why it was not used to benefit more than just one person. One might assume that Jesus, always teaching his disciples about the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized, would agree with Judas. Yet, Jesus wants us to recognize Mary’s unwavering confidence in the boundless capacity of God’s love. He understands that piecemeal acts of charity will not dispel the pervasive scent of poverty that clings to our spirits, emotions, physical well-being, and economic circumstances.
In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch raises his children, Jem and Scout, amidst the racism and classism of Depression-era Alabama. When Atticus takes on the defense of a black man accused of raping a white woman, his children endure taunts from neighbors and school peers. Mrs. Dubose, an elderly neighbor, incessantly torments them with hurtful comments as they walk home from school. In a moment of frustration, Jem retaliates by destroying all of Mrs. Dubose’s cherished camellia bushes with a baton. As punishment, Atticus requires Jem and Scout to read aloud to Mrs. Dubose for two hours every afternoon for a month.
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Upon entering Mrs. Dubose’s home, Scout is met with an overwhelming, oppressive odor that she has encountered before in rain-rotted gray houses. This scent always evoked fear, anticipation, and vigilance within her. During their daily reading sessions, while Mrs. Dubose sleeps and drools, the children immerse themselves in literature until an alarm clock signals the end of the session. Rushing outside, they finally take a breath of fresh air. When the month concludes, Mrs. Dubose passes away. Atticus informs the children that she was addicted to morphine and their reading sessions provided her with the strength to wean herself off the drug, enabling her to die in freedom. Atticus reveals to them that true courage is persevering in the face of certain defeat. Victory may be rare, but it is possible.
Mary pours out her entire bottle of perfume without regret because she understands that it is a mere trifle compared to the immeasurable magnitude of God’s love she witnesses in the Messiah before her. Mary is aware that Lazarus will experience death once again, and she knows that Jesus will also face death. However, her unwavering belief in Jesus’ ability to conquer death fuels her passionate actions. While she anoints him for burial, she also wipes away the oil because it is unnecessary to mask the scent of death. Unlike Martha, who remarks on the stench due to Lazarus’ prolonged time in the tomb, Mary perceives a different fragrance in the presence of Jesus. She detects the sweet scent of new life, and her joy releases this aroma to fill the house, the church, and ultimately, the entire world with the abundant fragrance of Christ’s love.
As we reflect on the moment between the foul odor of Lazarus’ tomb and the pungent aroma of myrrh and aloes that will soon envelop Jesus’ body, let us be mindful of the sweet scent of God’s love permeating the air. May this fragrance cling to us, reminding us of our responsibility as 21st-century Christians to share the love of God with others in both word and deed.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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