The Fragrant Perfume (John 11:3)

 


Friday, May 16, 2025


Psalm 38

Exodus 29:38-30:10

John 11:55-12:8


The Fragrant Perfume (John 11:3)


Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.


Today’s readings seem to have a lot of smells in them. Exodus speaks of God’s sanctuary filled with sweet-smelling incense, while Mary fills the house with the fragrance of the perfume with which she anointed Jesus’ feet.


The book of Revelation contains a couple of references to incense alongside the prayers of the saints: the elders fall down before the Lamb while holding the golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and elsewhere an angel is standing at the altar with a golden censer, having been given a much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints. (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4)


If you are fortunate enough to worship at a church which burns incense on Sundays, you would have a physical sense of what this biblical imagery is communicating. Just as we enjoy a good smell, God enjoys receiving our worship.


In this circumstance, worship and prayer are closely connected. The incense is offered alongside the prayers; or, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 141, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you”.


Perhaps church incense isn’t your thing (and we should remember that church incense smells much better than incense from the bong shop). Maybe you like the smell of freshly brewed coffee, or bread as it comes from the oven, or that strangely comforting smell of a baby in its first few days of life. Whatever pleases your senses, we know that God has given us the gift of smell in order to understand a little of just how much God likes to hear our prayers and receive our worship.


What is your favourite smell? How might you remember that God loves to hear your prayers?


Lord of beauty and sense: may we always remember your love for us, that we may always offer worship that is pleasing to you.

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