Extravagance

Extravagance

Philippians 3:4b-11

John 12:1-8

Jesus paused... took a break... a “time-out”... as he gathered, with his closest friends, for a meal, just before making his way into Jerusalem. They were all together (Jesus and the 12 disciples) at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus... but what was about to happen, would shock everyone.

As they were eating... Mary, from “out-of-nowhere” it seemed, took a pint of pure nard (an expensive perfume, worth a year’s wages), and poured it all out on Jesus’ feet. She wasn’t conservative or miserly or thrifty with it... she didn’t just use a little dab; she emptied the jar. The scent filled the house, as she wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. It’s a stunning act of devotion, and humility, and love.

Now, put yourself in that room for a moment. What would you think as you watched all this unfold? Maybe you’d feel the beauty of it all... Mary’s love and devotion laid bare, no holding back.

Or maybe you’d squirm a little, wondering, “Was that really necessary?” That’s exactly what Judas did. He couldn’t hold his tongue: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” On the surface, at least, it sounds reasonable... practical even. I mean, who wouldn’t want to help the poor?

But John, speaking from hindsight (and experience) told us the “rest of the story” - as Paul Harvey used to say: Judas didn’t care about the poor. He was the group’s treasurer, and he’d been dipping into the funds for himself. His objection wasn’t about compassion; it was about control, maybe even greed.

Of course, Jesus saw through it, and his response cut to the heart of the matter: “Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You’ll always have the poor among you, (in other words, you can always help the poor) but you will not always have me.”

We’ll get back to that in a minute.

But first, let’s think about Mary. What she did was extremely personal, and profound. It’s wasn’t calculated or restrained. It was reckless... lavish, all-in. A year’s wages - imagine what that would be for you! For most of us, that’s tens of thousands of dollars, poured out in a single moment.

Of course, Mary didn’t just anoint Jesus’ head, as was customary for honoring a guest... she anointed his feet, an act of humility... wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair. In the culture of Jesus’ day, Mary letting her hair down like that was bold, even scandalous. But, Mary wasn’t worried about what others thought. She was focused on Jesus.

Why? Because she got it. Mary understood. She’d been listening.

Earlier, in chapter 11, Jesus told Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” She watched Jesus weep at Lazarus’ tomb before calling him to “come forth” from the grave! Because of Jesus, Mary witnessed her dead brother walk out of tomb he’d been placed in 4 days earlier. Her life had been radically changed because of Jesus: hope, and life, and salvation filled her life in a way she’d never imagined.

And, now, with Passover looming, she sensed something. Jesus had been warning of his death, and Mary seemed to have put the pieces together. Her anointing of Jesus wasn’t just gratitude... it was preparation. She was honoring Christ for who he is: the One who would die, the One who would rise. The Resurrection, and the Life.

Of course, then there’s Judas. His words sounded noble, but his heart was anything but. He was counting the cost - not out of compassion - but out of self-interest.

Now it’s easy to judge and condemn Judas. But how often do we do what he did? We see someone’s generosity, their sacrifice, and our first instinct is to critique it. “Couldn’t that money have been used better?” “Shouldn’t they be more practical?” GRANTED: Sometimes that’s wisdom talking. But... many times, like with Judas, it’s a mask for something less noble... maybe envy, jealousy, discomfort, or a desire to keep things tidy and under control.

Of course, Jesus would have none of it! He said to Judas, “Leave her alone!... you’ll always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Jesus defended Mary’s extravagance. He wasn’t dismissing the poor - after all, Jesus was echoing Deuteronomy 15:11, where God commands care for the poor, the needy, the vulnerable, the weak.

But Jesus is pointing to something deeper: there’s a time for practicality, and there’s a time for pouring everything out in worship and humility before the Lord. Mary’s action aligned with the moment... the shadow of the cross was near. She was preparing Jesus for burial, even if she didn’t fully understand why.

So what does this mean for us? I think it’s a challenge, a call, to examine our hearts. Are we more like Mary? Are we ready to give our best, even when it doesn’t make sense to those around us? Or, are we more like Judas, quick to judge, holding back because we’re more comfortable with what’s measurable and safe?

Mary’s love was wasteful by human standards, there’s no doubt about it... but to Jesus, it was beautiful. It was right.

We live in a world obsessed with efficiency - maximizing every dollar, every minute. And we need efficiency and accountability and proper stewardship.

But Jesus reminds us there’s also a place for extravagance. Not for show, not out of vanity or self interest... but for love. For him. Maybe it’s not perfume for us. Maybe it’s our time, our talents, our giftings and graces... offered without apology, without reservation, at the feet of our Lord.

As we move ever closer to Good Friday and the events of Holy Week... let’s ask ourselves: What’s our act of extravagance? What’s that costly thing we could pour out for Jesus? And what’s holding us back—pride, fear, greed?

The cross is before us. We will always have the opportunity to help the poor, as we should. But right now, we have the opportunity to honor Christ with all we have - with our best! May we do not less. Amen.

Let’s pray. Lord, teach us to love you like Mary did—boldly, fully, without counting the cost. Show us where we’re holding back, and give us courage “pour out” our best for you. Thank you for seeing the beauty in our broken offerings. In Jesus name, Amen.