MUCH ADO ABOUT….Nothing?

By Karen Ama Owubaa Essiful-Ansah,

Christ The King Ghana Methodist Church,Bethlehem,GA

The story of the anointing of Jesus by a woman or Mary of Bethany has had its bit of discussion, debate and discourse but has it sticken you as closely related to the triumphant resurrection story?

The Resurrection story is an important climax of the Christian story, in fact it is such that without it, there would not have been a greater antithesis to it all.THANKFULLY, as Apostle Paul confirms:

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

[1 Corinthians 15:14-20]

This, in my humble view,is the best part of the story, like the last piece of meat on the fufu that no one must steal or seize.

In discussing the triumph of Easter Sunday however we could gloss over the epic account of the anointing of our Lord Jesus and its many lessons. This story appearing in each of the Gospels variously recounted as from each writer’s perspective.

Many have discussed issues raised therein such as the expensive oil used to be nard and the disciples especially Judas’ contempt for the act as if the Lord and His sacrifice on Calvary could be compared to it; or to the meaning of Jesus’ saying the poor will always be with you. Some opine that by so saying our Lord confirmed that poverty will always be part of humanity but truly this curse must not be any one’s portion I humbly submit. More so if we have, by faith , appropriated the sacrifice on Calvary, by which He became a curse for us to cancel every curse.

Indeed the accounts vary and the discussions are endless but many basic aspects, for example, that it was a woman and she had expensive oil and poured it on our Lord are all established.

However one looks at it, this story thrills and is a palpable missing piece of the Resurrection story. In one way or the other it goes to confirm prophecy in its own small way. Our Lord in rebuking the critical minded at the scene told them that this act prepares my body for burial. How is that possible- a living being anointed for burial? The truth is that the Lord was speaking into the future which as with all other prophecies about His death came to pass.

When the Lord died it was Friday, we will let the Bible do the talking:

“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.” [John 19: 31]

Our Lord had long before then, commended His Spirit into God’s hands and fallen asleep. [ Luke 23: 46] Consequently, the hardened criminals, still alive had their legs broken to hasten their death and our Lord received a piercing in his side which resulted in the anatomy defying flow of both water and blood from the wound.

The Body of our Lord was thus hurriedly bound in grave clothes and thrown into secret Disciple, Joseph of Arimathea’s borrowed tomb. The circumstances thus prevented the grief- stricken family and followers from properly bathing, anointing and embalming him for burial as per Jewish custom and traditions. We would recall the Bible stating in Mark 16:1, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.”

They thus went there to do what they could not do days earlier, not because they did not care about their beloved but because the circumstances of the time made it impossible.

Instead oh what a SURPRISE greeted them.

The Lord thus rightly declared that the act by the woman of Bethany indeed prepared His body for burial.As a result of this singular act whatever preparations had to be done but could not be done, were fulfilled.Jewish customary rites were strictly adhered to by true Jews.The Lord was the last to go against the traditions. It is noteworthy that when Our Lord had healed a Leper he [Jesus] asked him to go the priest and pay whatever he heeded to do as subscribed by the Laws of Moses. [Luke 5:14]

When therefore the Lord said what the woman had done will be praised wherever the Gospel is preached He was also right.It is today and will be tomorrow. Indeed until our Lord returns sermons and exhortations on this topic will continue.

However we learn from this act that not every kindly deed we do will be immediately rewarded. Many will be ‘praised’ later,even so in Heaven. Her unique sacrifice was then seen as a waste but her reward is great in Heaven.

Further the perfume according to the account by Apostle John was so very expensive, indeed it was said to cost 300 denari, a whole year’s wages for a worker of the day, and such that it’s fragrance filled the whole house, not just that room. And why not? Our Lord deserves only the best. Afterall He is Lord of all, owner of all, the earth is His and the fullness thereof [Psalm 24].

Besides when one is doing something for His Lord and Master, one must do something remarkable.The action should make Headlines in the news media of Heaven and cause angels to marvel. We must learn from her unique achievement. We must excel in things of God - no matter the cost.

As for Judas and his fellow naysayers, they will always be there but we need to be determined like Mary of Bethany to give our Lord our utmost best. It is noteworthy that Judas like many of such people often have bad motives for their ‘supposed’ advice to us. Besides our people say aptly and succinctly “ Nyame wo som no amandze a me hu” [One worships or serves God as per one’s own personal experiences]. Let not others’ derail our worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In conclusion, the Lord, as recounted by Matthew and Luke, described the woman’s act as a beautiful thing. May our daily acts be seen by Him as beautiful, notable, worth aping and above all let it not be said to be ‘much ado about..NOTHING’.