Yesterday afternoon, members of our youth and children’s choir presented the production of Godspell. We are very proud of the excellence of their work. Godspell is one of those extraordinary productions that does not depend on a wealth of outside resources to be a superb production. All the costumes and props come out of a simple wooden crate. The scenery, made to look like an urban playground, can be easily made with canvas drop cloths and spray paint. All but one of the company play multiple parts. The magic of the production isn’t in its extravagance, but in its ability to draw in everyone involved and opening their awareness to the receiving and giving of gifts. In the wonderful process of mutual sharing and helping each other to do their best, their individual gifts become a part of a much, much greater whole reminding us all of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The play in a real sense derives its vital strength by feeding itself.
The story in John's Gospel of Jesus' being anointed before the events of Holy Week is also in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. It is one of the very few times that a story in John’s gospel appears in any of the other Gospels. Obviously three of the Gospel editors thought this incident needed to be preserved. However, there are some important differences in each of the Gospels. In John, the anointing takes place during a dinner in the house of the sisters Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead, and this had caused Jesus’ opponents to solidify plans for Jesus’ own death. Whether openly acknowledged or not by the guests at supper, John’s Gospel stresses that Jesus was anointed for his death, not as a king claiming his throne. It was an unselfish gift of love for Jesus when he was facing the terrible anguish of what lay ahead of him.
Perhaps in the translation and handing down of the story of that night, some dialogue was left out. The verse in Deuteronomy Jesus quoted began with “you always have the poor always with you”, and then it continues with the injunction “therefore I command you to always open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and the poor, in the land.” This verse is also part of a larger chapter that involves specific commands to remember and care for the poor. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus would have understood this, as well as knowing that at this pivotal moment, one had a duty to honor and care for the dead. Mary seemed to sense Jesus was about to offer a much larger gift, the gift of his very own life. On the other hand, Judas, who raised the objection to the use of the oil, was the one who refused to recognize or accept what lay ahead for Jesus.
Judas, in effect, was tempting Jesus to strive for the fame and admiration of a culture over which every emperor and dictator wishes to preside. The world likes superheroes, playing to pride and self-confidence, exhibiting a sense of arrogance and importance like a body builder displays those amazing, flexing muscles. Because the world is so full of itself, it has no room to recognize or acknowledge gifts of others. At the heart of it, the world only honors power over others and Jesus didn’t fit the mold.
Jesus does not choose to enter Jerusalem or die on the cross like a world superhero. The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is such an appropriate lesson as we approach Holy Week, for it shows us that appreciation of the gifts of others is a vital part of love, and that the ability to openly and joyfully receive is as much a part of a grace filled life as the ability to share and give.
Was the rest of Mary’s ointment used a week later by the women who went to the tomb early on Sunday morning for the final care of their rabbi’s body? We will never know, but the significance of the gift lives on. Mary did not seek to become famous for this act. She did not do it to upstage her sister Martha or brother Lazarus, or any of the other disciples. She just wanted to share the modest gift she had. Jesus very gracefully received it. Both of them were filled with the grace of the act. That’s why this particular dinner sticks out from all others. In a similar way that is one of the lessons of the production of Godspell. There was no one real big feat that dwarfed all others or stole the show. There was no single mega star. It was not accomplished by a superhuman effort of a few. Everyone worked hard, everyone gave. It was like a company of disciples. The charm of Godspell was in the unselfish and innumerable cumulative acts of sharing, the members of the company helping and encouraging each other with their lines, and in the many others who played supporting roles offstage or behind the scenes. That is what will make our production memorable for years to come. Certainly for some, they will never forget it.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
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