Episode 861
Radical Devotion: Understanding Mary's Anointing of Jesus
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Delving deeper, the speaker explores the complexities surrounding justice and activism, particularly in light of Judas' duplicity. The narrative critiques contemporary instances of performative activism—wherein individuals and organizations employ social justice rhetoric without enacting substantive change. By invoking Judas' feigned concern, the discussion prompts a critical examination of our own motives in social justice work. Are we genuinely committed to transformative action, or are we merely participating in a performance designed to maintain the status quo? This reflection is particularly salient in today's social climate, where the language of justice is often co-opted for self-serving purposes. The speaker implores us to engage in authentic activism, grounded in love and genuine commitment, rather than mere rhetoric.
Takeaways:
- The act of Mary anointing Jesus' feet serves as a profound illustration of love that transcends societal norms and expectations.
- Judas' false concern for the poor exemplifies the dangers of performative activism, urging us to scrutinize our own motivations for engaging in social justice.
- Jesus' statement about the poor being always present has often been misinterpreted; it is a call for systematic care and action, not an excuse for inaction.
- Mary's intimate gesture challenges us to consider how our acts of love can resist oppressive power structures and promote genuine justice.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of authentic activism that is driven by sincere love, rather than superficial gestures seeking validation or power.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their social justice commitments and to engage in concrete actions that stem from genuine conviction and love.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Embodied Love as Resistance A Study of the Gospel of John 12:1, 8 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is where we give you the Scriptures every single day from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We are in year C, the Lenten season Holy week as a matter of fact and we give you the Bible in bite sized portions the New Testament only.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving it to you from the message version.
Speaker A:Relatable by giving some points to ponder and applicable giving you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our friends@voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Lets get into our reading for the day from the Gospel of John 12:1 8 here's the message anointing his feet six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living.
Speaker A:Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home.
Speaker A:Martha served.
Speaker A:Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with him.
Speaker A:Mary came in with a jar of very expensive oils, anointed and massaged Jesus feet, then wiped them with their hair.
Speaker A:The fragrance of the oils filled the house.
Speaker A:Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, why hasn't this oil been sold and money given to the poor?
Speaker A:It would have easily brought 300 silver pieces.
Speaker A:He said this not because he cared 2 cents about the poor, but because he was a thief and he was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.
Speaker A:Jesus said, let her alone.
Speaker A:She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.
Speaker A:You always have the poor with you.
Speaker A:You don't always have me.
Speaker A:Well, this is a reflection here, this story of extravagant love, false activism and the complexity of addressing poverty and justice in our world.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:There's Embodied Love as Resistance Mary's act of anointing Jesus feet is a radical expression of love and devotion that transcends social norms.
Speaker A:In a patriarchal society, this intimate act of care was countercultural.
Speaker A:This challenges us to consider how love can be expressed through embodied action, particularly in ways that defy conventional power structures.
Speaker A:Mary's act reminds us that justice work must be grounded in deep love and then care work is sacred political work.
Speaker A:A second point is about performative action versus genuine justice.
Speaker A:Judas Fake concern for the poor While embezzling funds mirrors modern forms of woke washing and performative activism.
Speaker A:Many institutions and individuals today use social justice language while actually perpetuating harm.
Speaker A:This calls us to examine our own activism as we genuinely have committed a transformation.
Speaker A:Or are we using justice language to maintain our position and power?
Speaker A:A third point is about contextualization.
Speaker A:The poor will always be with us Jesus statement is often misused to justify inaction on poverty.
Speaker A: is a reference to Deuteronomy: Speaker A:Jesus isn't dismissing poverty concerns, but rather exposing Judas false activism while affirming Mary's act of love.
Speaker A:This challenges us to both honor moments of sacred connection and maintain our commitment to systematic change.
Speaker A:It's not either or, but a both and here's your action step Examine the authenticity of your own justice work.
Speaker A:Start by listing your social justice commitments and asking am I doing this for show or for some genuine conviction?
Speaker A:Then choose one area where you've been performative and replace it with concrete action.
Speaker A:This might mean shifting from social media activism to local hands on work or from talking about economic justice to actually sharing your money your resources.
Speaker A:Remember America's example.
Speaker A:Let your actions flow from genuine love and commitment.
Speaker A:We'll pray in a moment, but Ed wanted you to know about our resource from voiceofgoddaily.com that's our website.
Speaker A:Go over there right now and pick up our Bible study method.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It will help you to do your own daily Bible study in a way that is simple as ABC in 1, 2, 3 let's pray divine love.
Speaker A:We come to you confused sometimes about how to balance immediate acts of care with long term justice work.
Speaker A:Help us learn from Mary's courage to love extravagantly and unconventionally.
Speaker A:Expose the places where we, like Judas, might be using justice language to mask our own self interests.
Speaker A:Give us wisdom to know when to pour out our resources and acts of immediate love and when to work for systematic change.
Speaker A:Help us both help us both hold the reality of ongoing poverty and the sacred moments of personal connection.
Speaker A:Guide us towards authentic activism that flows from genuine love rather than performance.
Speaker A:May our work for justice be as fragrant and genuine as Mary's offering in the spirit of revolutionary love and authentic commitment to change.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it's always great to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
