Lilac Ministries

Bible Study Lessons

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Scripture: John 12:1-9

Topic: Dinner & Parade

We have been studying the events surrounding Jesus’ decision to return to Jerusalem. Lazarus becomes ill. Jesus waits. Martha and Mary mourn. Jesus meets them in their grieving, engaging in intellectual/spiritual discussion with Martha (leading to Jesus’ disclosure of the Messiah and to Martha’s affirmation of that disclosure) and in emotional/spiritual discussion with Mary, whose “media” are words and tears.

Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, while Martha speaks forth the unwitting prophecy of “there will be a stench.” That is, the Lord uses Martha’s fretful nature to proclaim that Lazarus is TRULY dead and that what the mourners are about to see is TRULY a miracle. Jesus gives the mourners the task of unbinding Lazarus. We, in turn, are left with the challenge: Do we help others in their journeys from death to life, from unhealthy habits to productive patterns - or do we make it harder for others to change and grow?

In today’s study we considered Mary’s unwitting prophecy of Jesus’ death. Her sweet offering literally fills the house, while Judas (aware of the earthly, financial aspects of Mary’s gesture) criticizes her for not doing what Jesus says Judas and others may do anytime they choose - that is, give to the poor. Several of us voiced gratitude that the Lord defended Mary in the midst of others’ criticism.

We spoke of the original Palm Sunday and of Palm Sundays within our own lifetimes. Jesus “prophesied” (in gesture) the nature of the Messiah - a king whose power would not match up to earthly standards. He came into Jerusalem on an animal most certainly untrained for the rigors of imposed power and/or warfare. Within the crowd were, we suspect, those of true faith, those of a curious bent, and those who were intent on evil, even while they may have thought that they were protecting God and faith and (occupied) nation.

We spoke of wanting to be among those of true faith, even while we confessed (in personal stories) our tendency to behave on the basis of emotional reaction, rather than prayerful response. And we expressed thanks that Christ stands in that very gap between who we seem to be, in the moment, and who God has created us to be, forever.