How to Host a Dinner Party

I've done things of which I am not proud. Not at all. One of those things is a dinner party. Crazy, right? Well, a friend of mine had begun dating a young woman who, in my not so humble, completely unsolicited opinion, was a terrible choice. My friend had been a bachelor so long, and had done well for himself; I feared he was an easy target for the gold-digging, pretentious, label hog I'd judged her to be. I decided to scare her off or, at the least, set her straight. I invited my friend and his new sweetheart to a dinner party. I also invited my friend's ex-girlfriend. I bought expensive wine and trotted out the latest gourmet recipes. The ex-girlfriend and I talked at length about her shore house and all the "expensive" things we had in our closets. We were obnoxious, catty and treated this poor girl dreadfully. But, the same wonderful, gracious nature that caused my friend to see the good in a young, magniloquent woman, saw the good intent in what I had done. He still spoke to me despite my antics.

How different from the dinner party we see recorded in John 12:1-8. It occurred in Lazarus' home six days before Jesus' last Passover on earth. Did Jesus know what would happen in less than a week? Well, maybe not, but His knowledge of Scripture and prophecy, and His close relationship with the Father had to have given Him some sort of inkling His time was near. If I am able to see signs and feel excitement without knowing exactly what God is about to do, surely the man Jesus could.

"They made Him a supper." They, being Lazarus, Martha and Mary, tended to the human needs of their dear friend. They sought to nourish His body, and have the type of closeness people find sitting around a table, laughing and talking over a good meal. Such a simple, common, human event, arranged with care for the Creator and Savior of the world.

"Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." 

• "Then": During dinner? After dinner? I think of the times I hosted parties. The sounds of utensils scraping across dishes. Laughter. The chaos of dishes being passed around or cleared from the table. Drinks being refreshed. At no time do I recall pausing to hear the voice of the Spirit that I might humbly bow before a single guest and lovingly serve them. What a sweet spirit Mary must have had to, amidst the ruckus and clamor of a house filled with hungry men, be able to hear the voice of God.
• "Mary took": She obeyed what she heard. How bold she must have been to quietly, steadfastly obey in the presence of all these onlookers. Did she even realize the room had become quiet? Did she feel the eyes upon her? Or was she so enrapt with the One she sought to adore?
• "Very costly": This was the real deal; oil typically used to anoint the heads of kings, a sacrifice of the most extravagant kind. Mary's personal net worth notwithstanding, no one in a temperate, socially-minded culture would liberally pour out an entire pound of such a rich substance. Whether Mary had money to burn or not, this act cost Mary a place in the "judgment free zone."
• "Wiped His feet": Mary went the distance. She didn't pour a bit in the palm of her hand, rubbing it in, the dry skin on His feet absorbing the oil. She lavishly poured out her entire sacrifice and wiped it from in between His toes, massaging it into cracked heels, and kneading His aching arches, all the while, allowing the fresh air to revive softened flesh.
• "With her hair": What humility. I'm sure Mary did not awaken that morning thinking, "How can I abase myself today?" What a deep desire for intimate communion with her Lord. She applied the remnants of His anointing to her hair, satisfied even to take upon herself all that remained (Matthew 15:27). That which blessed Jesus was a blessing to her as well, a byproduct of her obedience and worship -- the fragrance and conditioning of the finest oil upon her hair.

"And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." How this one act must have caused all those present to pause, to see Jesus as One adored. How the fragrance remained in their nostrils even upon leaving the house. How the memory of what had transpired remained with them for years to come. Mary listened. Mary obeyed. Mary risked. Mary worshiped. Mary humbled herself. And blessing came into that home. Now that's a dinner party one can be proud of.