Peter was known as the local expert in peppers. As a matter of fact, Peter not only grew the beloved vegetable, but grew only specific kinds known as the worlds hottest peppers. Just to give you an idea, a bell pepper would have a heat level of about zero. Peter grew a pepper just for a local contest for those who wanted to eat a pepper that had a heat level of over 3million. People from around the country came to put themselves to the test and hopefully claim the title “I ate the worlds hottest pepper,” while also signing a waiver to disclaim all liability is solely upon the contestant. Peter knew how hot the peppers were and even after many years of watching these contestants cry, shiver in their seats and just see the sweat rolling down their faces, he couldn’t help but to cringe; all because of their love for this valuable vegetable. At the end of the contest and the winner is declared, the contestants were asked how are they doing and most of them replied, “I am very hot but I love it!” Even some spectators testified that just being in the presence of these peppers, their eyes watered uncontrollably, and the fragrance alone was enough to choke them with their own sinus discharges. So you may be asking, what does peppers have anything to do with todays message. It brings to the point what people are willing to do or experience in something they love. How far a person is willing to go. These hobbiest would risk their own health and future for the love of these hot peppers, and also gain the satisfaction of saying, “I ate the world’s hottest pepper.” SO let me ask you this morning. How far are you willing to go for something you love? What pain, experience and sacrifice are you willing to encounter just for something or someone we love? For Mary of Bethany, in the Gospel of John chapter 12, it wasn’t a very hard question to answer. As a matter of fact, Mary was granted the honor of being the one person, chosen representative by God, to give Christ the adoring affection that could not sufficiently express itself. Mary anointed the soon to be crucified Jesus. This may not sound very significant, but we will come to that. Mary not only used a most expensive oil, about 1lb, pure nard (spikenard) to apply to Jesus, but she also used her own hair to wipe it over his feet. Scripture tells us, “and the house was filled with the fragrance [aroma] of the perfume.” It engulfed every inch of the room, and beyond.
In titling the message Fragrance of love, I found this small iconic moment in Mary of Bethany’s love for her savior as being a simple but awesome expression of love that no one else in scripture did for Him. And to put a prelude note here, just prior to Mary’s anointing, the chief priests and pharisees convened a council to what scripture says “a plan together to kill Him [Jesus].” The wheels were in motion, and the one of Jesus own would betray Him by means of just a few pieces of silver.
I love the smell of flowers, don’t you? Theres nothing like going outside, see all the wonderful colors and smelling the rich aroma of God’s creation. And did you know that God himself loves aromas. Number chapter 15, “And you offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” Pauls second letter to the people of Corinth “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” And John the revelator And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. These are but a few excerpts, but what is the fragrance of love, and what would it smell like? For Mary of Bethany, the most expensive spikenard perfume she could afford was her exclamation to spill out her gratitude to God for her savior Jesus in such a way that even the disciple Judas, took offense to it! So was is Mary’s purchase of expensive perfume or was it Mary’s whole hearted attempt to Honor God by means of showing Christ how much she loves Him as it was disputed by one of Christ’s own? Confronting Judas, Matthew tells us Jesus response was, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.” So to answer my earlier question, it was Mary’s love for her Savior, not the perfume that God honored. And although Jesus knew the perfume was expensive, He also knew something much more important. God did not begrudge this loving women a little bit of oil to honor, adore and love her Savior. Amen.
Mary of Bethany could not have known this simple act of love would be known throughout the centuries, let alone memorialized in God’s holy word. This is a direct example my friends that being an obedient, devoted, loving servant of God will truly have a reward that will last forever. Just as the word of God will never pass away, so shall Mary of Bethany never be forgotten! What is your fragrance of love? Is it the work you do for God? Is it simply being an obedient servant? How about just being an available individual to when God calls you to act, your ready to go! There are so many examples my friends, but what I want to try and enforce you to think about on this Fifth Sunday in Lent, just like eating a hot pepper that could definitely take you to the end of your life, how far are we willing to go for our love of God? What are we willing to sacrifice for God in order to do His work, performing His will and obeying His commandments? And for Jesus, well, his life, without question, was an act of love that no man can repay. We cannot mimic His life because God satisfied a sin debt that no one on earth could ever satisfy. Just how loving are we to God and our life with Him? Do we truly feel like we are johnny on the spot, squared away and at the bull’s eye on mark with God and His ways? Or, are we off the beaten path, missing our calling and falling short of being a true servant of God? I would be willing to say, it would be second. We have every right and reason to love, cherish and honor the living God; without any hesitation, like Mary of Bethany, giving all she had to give Christ her love and affection by way of anointing Him for his upcoming burial. Did you know that Emperor penguins spend about 4 months fasting as they watch over, care for, and incubate their eggs? This is a 100 to a 115 day fast! If a penguin can spend 100 days not eating because it instinctually loves and is waiting for its baby penguin, what can we do for our love for Christ and love for others? Penguins have capabilities we don’t necessarily have, but all God is asking us is to give ourselves to Him. Give God full access and not just weekend visits!
In closing, [As] Jesus said, “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Think my friends on your fragrance of love. Are you truly a servant of the living God, or just playing the part? It is in final victory where we will gain God’s saving grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. Not what we done, but what God has done. So what do we Do? We must spend time with Him. Learn of Him and allow him to reign free in our lives. And just like Psalm 107 tells us here were those who lived in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, 11 Because they had rebelled against the words of God And rejected the plan of the Most High. 12 Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was no one to help. 13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death And broke their bands apart. 15 They shall give thanks to the Lord for His mercy, And for His wonders to the sons of mankind! 16 For He has shattered gates of bronze And cut off bars of iron. Is sin bonding you like iron today? Are you willing to acknowledge that you are indeed helpless, and you need Christ above all things? Are you willing to say Yes to God and No to the world, including your family and friends? Here’s what you can do today. Ask God to help you be more meek.
"If there is a room that no one wants, give that room to me." That's meekness.
If there is a job that no one wants to do, I'll do that job. That’s meekness.
If there's someone that no one else wants to eat lunch with, I'll eat lunch with them. That’s meekness.
If there's a piece of toast that's burnt and no one else wants it, I'll take that piece. That’s meekness.
If there's a parking space that's far away from the church, I'll park in that space. That’s meekness.
If there's a service time that's less convenient for people, I'll worship at that service. That’s meekness.
If there's a hardship someone has to endure, I'll take that hardship. That’s meekness.
If there's a sacrifice someone needs to make, I'll make that sacrifice. That’s meekness.
What is our fragrance of love. I pray that it is us being humble, meek, obedient servants.
"Lord, I pray for a heart that is meek, gentle, and humble. Help me to recognize my own limitations and to approach life with a spirit of humility, rather than pride. May I be patient and understanding, even in the face of adversity, and may I always seek to serve others with compassion and kindness. Grant me the strength to resist anger and resentment, and to forgive those who have wronged me. Help me to see the world with your eyes, and to respond to it with your grace and love. Amen."