Death Smells - John 12:1-11

A Reflection for Holy Monday, April 14 by Rev. Jo Anne Taylor

Lectionary readings for Monday of Holy Week: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11

Selected passage for reflection: John 12:1-11 

Read

John 12:1-11 Common English Bible (CEB)

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table. Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume. 

Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained, “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.)

Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it. You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.”

Many Jews learned that he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too. It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus.

Reflect

This was supposed to be a funeral dinner.  Martha had planned and prepared a funeral dinner. She’d been working on it for days, but Jesus had changed all those plans when he’d shown up at Lazarus’ tomb. Now, instead of sharing fond memories of the deceased, the friends who gathered around this table were talking and laughing with him. Lazarus had become an overnight celebrity: The One Who Was No Longer Dead. Joy and wonder bubbled throughout the room, and the atmosphere had changed from gloom and sorrow to outright euphoria. 

John carefully connects the story of Lazarus with the story of his sister Mary, not only by telling these tales back-to-back, but also by cross-referencing them to one another (See John 11:1-2). John draws a strong connection between the stench of Lazarus’ tomb and the aroma of Mary’s perfume. Both Mary’s anointing with nard and Lazarus’ resurrection will draw our attention toward another death that looms on the horizon. We are entering Holy Week, and Good Friday will come all too soon. 

Whenever we find paradox in scripture we need to pay attention, because paradox can stretch our assumptions, our biases, and our growing understanding of our place in God’s kingdom. The smell of death offers us a paradox: the stench of rotting flesh and the fragrance of nard both remind us that we are dust, yet our hope is in resurrection.

The sense of smell powerfully connects our memories and emotions to our behaviors and beliefs. Certain smells warn us away from danger while others remind us of comfort and safety. The aroma of Mary’s nard aroused a variety of responses – from worship to Judas’ complaint, "Why was this perfume not sold … and the money given to the poor?" When Jesus says, “Leave her alone …” we are reminded that Christ welcomes every gift we offer in humility and devotion. 

The threat of death may hover in the air along with the strong scent of nard, but Death does not get to sit at this table. Lazarus offers visible proof that Death has no power over Jesus, and even if those enjoying Martha’s fine cooking don’t fully comprehend it yet, we know that Jesus will completely defeat death before John’s story is finished. 

Respond 

The sense of smell is often associated with prayer, most notably when incense is offered. The liturgy for Vespers (Evening Prayer) calls out, “Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2) Paul writes, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life … in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17 NIV) During Holy Week, you might want to light some incense or a scented candle while you pray a prayer of examen, as taught by St Ignatius. Here is a suggested outline for such a prayer:

Prayer of Examen 

1. Become aware of God’s presence. Breathe deeply.

2. Review the day with gratitude. It might be helpful to imagine the Holy Spirit walking with you through the events of the day, shining a candle into the shadows of your soul. Ask to see where you pleased God during the day, and where you didn’t.

3. Pay attention to your emotions. What is God saying to you through your feelings?

4. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important, and pray from it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.

5. Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s ahead. Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask for help and understanding. Pray for hope. 

6. End the Daily Examen with the Lord’s Prayer.

   
   

Rest 

Holy One, as we prepare to experience Holy Week with all our senses, may our lives be a pleasing aroma that draws others to you. May the God who created us, the Christ who redeems us, and the Holy Spirit who walks beside us give us peace. Amen.

About the Author 

Rev. Jo Anne Taylor is a retired pastor living in Minnesota. Ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church, she has pastored three United Methodist congregations. Her training in intentional interim/transitional ministry has helped churches suffering from deep trauma or conflict. She writes at https://pastorsings.com.