Is The Sum More Than The Total Of Its Parts?
Good Morning Friends,
To the Western way of thinking the whole is simply the sum total of its parts. This point of view works fairly well until we come to people and their senses and their spirit. Plain and simple, a human body is not merely the sum total of its parts and the same goes for groups of people. Regardless of having said that we still ponder question for its relevance in understanding the Hebrew way of thinking and today’s scripture in our collective personality responding as if in worship. Is The Sum More Than The Total Of Its Parts?
Scripture: Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:1-7 (NRSV)
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
John 12:1-11 (NRSV)
Message: There are four special texts in second Isaiah, called “Suffering Servant Songs,” that lay out the meaning and mission of this Servant: Isaiah 42: 1-4; 49: 1-6; 50: 4-9; 52:13 – 53: 12. They are read in Churches during Holy Week. They are very important in understanding Jesus, because they are the scriptural basis for Jesus’ own understanding of himself and his mission. When Jesus read and reflected on these texts he found his own identity and how, as well as why, he would execute his Father’s plan. They were his guides. A study of these texts will reveal why Jesus behaved the way he did, especially at his passion. So God the Father in the sovereignty of Holy character called Jesus to sing a new song and that song is the one of a suffering servant promised in todays’ lectionary reading from Isaiah. It is one of the clearest statements in the Old Testament delineating Christ’s role in his earthly ministry. It is supposed to make us feel comfort and encouragement in a plan that God has designed. It is interesting for it to be paired with the story of Mary of Bethany as today’s reading from my Catholic friends. The readings together help us to see that as Christians we have a corporate personality and Body that is founded on the belief that the essence of God is contained in each of us and that in a way we belong to each other in Christ. This reality is not in our physical sight and yet it undergirds our union with God the Suffering Servant. So it is understandable that we find it easy to be distracted by a thousand voices calling in our world. That is why it is crucial that Christians be focused on serving Jesus in intentional ways that honor something greater than ourselves. Mary’s story of celebration and worship points to this purpose for us to glorify God with intention. It takes place in the home of Lazarus. At his home with his sisters and the disciples there was quite a celebration. Martha is serving, Lazarus is reclining with Jesus. Mary has worship and adoration on her mind. All of this is in the shadow of the cross … “Six days before Passover…” And Mary of Bethany has some grasp of the impending death of Jesus. Mary has prepared for the death of Jesus by buying this perfume and setting it aside. She thought that since it was intended for Jesus, it was better to demonstrate love and worship for him now, rather than after he had died. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of Jesus’ burial. But here in this prelude to the passion all the stops are pulled out. It is about now…not the sweet bye and bye. Picture in your mind what is going on here. This was quite a scene of celebration. Lazarus was back from the dead! Martha was doing what she loved to do most. Jesus was in the home of people he loved. There is much to learn here. But first we have to decide what our intention is going to be. First we have to realize that love’s actions carry on to places and people far and wide. Friends we are connected through worship in a way that blesses others. We are connected in a lectionary reading. We are connected in a message. And here we learn that when we give a gift to God it may not be available for us to use for ourselves. Nevertheless it is best to live with a generous spirit of intentional devotion because the sum is more than the total of its parts. There is always more and sometimes surprisingly so.
Pray we realize that we too are to be humble servants but also are intended to celebrate life. Pray we realize that we all have a reason to celebrate. Pray Jesus comes alive in us filled with the Word. Pray we live in the knowledge of His promises. Pray we realize that we are intended to worship in a way that brings our very best love to permeate the world as a spiritual fragrance of generosity. Pray our very lives have the smell of worship. Pray we turn away from a spirit of stinginess and greed when it comes to sharing together the joy of worship and God’s plan for each of us. Pray we celebrate God’s grace. Pray we worship God’s greatness. Pray we avoid ungodly attitudes. Pray we honor the poor by sharing with them the treasures of a life in Christ. Pray we plan with God’s plan in our hearts to love and serve in ways that help us to collectively bring meaning and purpose to others.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 