What's in a nard?

John 12:1-11 New Revised Standard Version

12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and the money given to the poor?” 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[c] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Nard

Nard was hugely costly and fragrant. It was a sort of ointment, Eastern in origin and was valuable for a number of reasons. Think of the most expensive perfume or aftershave you possess - then add two zeros to the cost. This would be close to the value of the nard that Mary used on Jesus. It is said to be the value of a year's pay for a worker.

Mary anoints Jesus' feet here recognising Jesus, the Messiah. This anointing is said to be a sign of symbolic embalming of Jesus, as if he were already dead.

Would you use a bottle of your favourite fragrance on Jesus?

What would you think if you saw somebody else using a valuable item so frivolously?

In a time where we are being more cautious with our money and possessions, would you see this as wastage?

Would you anoint Jesus and recognise in Him "the resurrection and the life?"

Thanks Di for this photo. Which way will you go? What decisions will you make regarding the reading and choices about the day?

#ghcpchurch #llandaffdiocese #nard #lectionary #HolyWeek #road #travelled #choices #decisions #HolyMonday