Well, Exodus was kind of boring today. I guess it's interesting if you're into ancient liturgical architecture, but I'm not particularly. I'd like to see some drawings of the things described. It's too cut and dry in the text. I will say that the Ark of the Covenant is described quite similarly to the way it appeared in Indiana Jones. Well done, Spielburg. Well done.
We're nearing the end of Matthew's gospel, and as we approach Easter, it's appropriate that we begin reading the passion story. There are two stories in today's reading that always resonate with me. The first is of the woman with the costly ointment, and the other is Jesus praying in Gethsemane.
According to the footnote in v. 12, "The woman's act won higher praise from Jesus than any other mentioned in the New Testament". I wonder why. First of all, the woman uses oils appropriate for a burial. Jesus has been trying his best to prepare his disciples for his death, but they just don't get it. This nameless woman gets it. The disciples seem appalled that she wastes costly ointment that they can sell to help the poor, something I can imagine hearing an argument about at a vestry meeting, but Jesus says, "No! She gets it. I'm dying. She's preparing for my death." It's a big deal. The very reason Jesus came among us.
Jesus' prayers in Gethsemane always confuse me a little, and offer me great hope. Three times Jesus asks God to not make him suffer, but always ends his prayer with some form of "thy will be done". This is quite remarkable! It's easy for us to think, "Well, Jesus knew what he was getting in to. He was divine and prepared for his suffering." But that's not quite right. Jesus was fully divine, but he was also fully human. This seems a very human act. Jesus never disobeys God, but he does plead with Him. What a very human thing to do. Jesus doesn't look forward to suffering. He fears it greatly. Not once, not twice, but three times he pleads with God. "Don't make me suffer!" The great thing here, though, is that even though Jesus doesn't want to suffer, he accepts it. Thy will be done. What an incredible example for us.
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