“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3

Loving Lavishly

On Easter Sunday our church was lavishly decorated for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Walking through the doors into the sanctuary was like entering into Paradise. Some might say it was too extravagant and the money spent on the flowers could have been used for a more charitable purpose. But then in John 12:3, Mary anointed Jesus feet with costly nard. One disciple says the nard could be sold and the money used to feed the poor, but Jesus said to let her be. She is anointing him for his burial and he allows it to be done. On such a special day as Easter it is okay to go overboard a bit. The flowers, the music, the loud alleluias, the children in their Easter finery, and the beautifully appointed altar all go to show our love for our Lord. Mary demonstrated her love for Jesus by anointing him with the fragrant nard for his burial, and we show our love with the fragrant flowers to celebrate his resurrection from the dead. Easter Sunday is about joy and resurrection and new life, and it is all so good for the soul.

gracedeacon@gwi.net