But Jesus in our gospel reading doesn't condemn Mary for being wasteful. In fact, Jesus defends her extravagant act in front of all the other disciples. Jesus tells Judas to back off – not everything about serving God has to be logically calculated and justified on the basis of efficiency – there IS room to show the emotion of gratitude as a follower of Jesus. And Jesus gives the best possible interpretation to Mary's supposedly wasteful actions – “you do not always have me”. Mary did what she did because she knew her time with Jesus in the flesh was short, and she might not get another opportunity to connect like this with Jesus – now they were close enough to share the same scent, as Rabbouni and disciple. And in the end, Jesus put what was seen as wasteful to good use – Jesus described to the disciples that what Mary did was his anointing for burial. Just as the nard was a waste, in six days, Jesus would go, and “waste” his life in Jerusalem on the cross, so that his disciples would be rescued from their sins, and be given new life in the resurrection.
Jesus puts OUR Royal Waste of Time here on Sunday to good use as well. As we worship, Jesus gives us himself in bread and wine, to sustain us and keep us in his grace. As we worship, Jesus gives us himself in the Word, teaching us and leading us and encouraging us. As we worship, Jesus connects with us and shares our scent, as Rabbouni and disciples. And as we worship, we are reminded of the “royal waste” that Jesus was for us on the cross, so that we too are rescued from sins, and given new life in the resurrection.
Gracious God, we thank you for the opportunity to be extravagant in our worship of you. Strengthen our motivation to respond to the sacrifice of your Son, with our whole lives – time, talents, and treasures, in Jesus name, amen.