![]() Last night at St Catherine's , Maundy Thursday Communion Service, The Revd Darren Moore preached a sermon about love using the story of the meal at Simon the Lepers house in Bethany from Mark 14 3-9 as Jesus was on the road to the Cross. Darren+ rightly pointed out that the narrative itself doesn’t stand or fall on the story (as most scholars agree). But as we know all scripture is God breathed, and for our learning. While he spoke I was drawn to the lesson appointed to be read for Morning Prayer from the daily lectionary, C of E, from Leviticus 16 which talks about the ritual rites for the Atonement. What caught my attention was the woman who “Anointed” Jesus with “the alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard”. Now on the surface we would think what does this have to do with anything? Why is this story in this place anyway? Well I think Leviticus tells us! On the Day of Atonement a sacrifice is prepared for not only the people, but for the priest as well (Read Leviticus 16). The people would bring two goats which the priest would cast lots to see which one God wanted to be the sacrifice for the people, and he would offer a bull for his own sins. What connects the Day of Atonement and the events at the home of Simon the Leper are found in Leviticus 16:11-14 when the sacrifice for the high priest is prepared it says, 11 “Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. 12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil 13 and put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. 14 And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. The incense that covers the mercy seat is a sweet smelling sacrifice and is symbolically present to make the offering pleasing to God. Incense is made of things like “nard” to give it a smell that is pleasing, not that of burning flesh. Since Jesus is a self-malidictory oath, or an oath to himself, how appropriate is it for the atoning sacrifice to be bathed with such an expensive spice before the sacrifice on the cross! John 12 tells us that this woman was Mary relative of Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead. Remember Jesus had said of Mary, to Martha, that she had chosen the better path by sitting at Jesus feet. This ritual preparation of the once for all sacrifice, by a woman who gave all she had to the savior, is a very important part of the story as it relates to the recapitulation of the day of Atonement in Jesus fulfilling all of the law in himself. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matt 5:17) So what is the point, well the point is that this “chance meeting” with Mary at Bethany is important when we think of the events of the cross in light of the old covenant shadows. Jesus’ sacrifice is a sweet smell that completes all the old covenant sacrifices made. God killing the animals to cover Adam and Eve after the fall (Gen3:21,22), Abel’s better sacrifice (Gen3:10), Noah’s sacrifice after the flood (Gen8:20,22), The self-maledictory sacrifice that Abraham offered (Gen 15), the ram provided to Abraham’s only son (Gen 22:9-14), the Passover sacrifice to save the first born (Ex 12,13) , and the sacrifice on the day of atonement for the sins of the people (Lev 16). All of these sacrifices had to be done over and over year by year, but can never take away sin. But Jesus as his once for all sacrifice died and rose again for the life of the world. Paul says to the Hebrews in chapter 10, 10:1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. He goes on the say, 19 Therefore, brothers, [3] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. So let us have the same confidence as Mary today. We salute you Mary for fulfilling the task you were given in the once for all sacrifice of Christ, completing every jot and tittle (Matt 5:18). May we be reminded today as well that the whole bible is important “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed." (Attributed to Augustine) is a very important maxim to live by especially as we do biblical theology. I enjoy chasing down the meaning of things and seeing how those meanings, all be it in shadows, point to the saviour of the world. Furthermore as an Anglican the 39 articles point to the same reality VII. Of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral. On this Good Friday let us think a moment on the old covenant which is rich in Gospel and points to the anti type our savior Jesus Christ. Finally the words of the Easter Canticle point us to the Gospel from the old to the new revealed. 1 Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : therefore let us keep the feast, 2 Not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness : but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5.7b,8) 3 Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more : death hath no more dominion over him. 4 For in that he died, he died unto sin once : but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 5 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin : but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6.9-11) 6 Christ is risen from the dead : and become the first-fruits of them that slept. 7 For since by man came death : by man come also the resurrection of the dead. 8 For as in Adam all die : even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15.20-22) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
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