At the moment, I am studying three different scriptures because on the second Sunday I am teaching the adult class; on the third Sunday, leading worship at the retirement home; on the fourth Sunday, preaching.
Today, I got especially curious about the story of Mary pouring the pure nard on Jesus' feet at Bethany. That sent me on a search to find out about nard and anointing. The search became somewhat like solving a biblical and theological mystery.
Nard is an intense, extravagant, exquisite perfume made from a root plant that originates in the Himalayas. It was rare and expensive.
The first mention of anointing in the Bible is in Exodus where directions are given for mixing fine spices with olive oil in order to mark something (or someone) as sacred. To anoint is to consecrate, to introduce the divine spirit, that which is holy, of God. In the Old Testament, priests are anointed, as are kings.
I also found on the list under the biblical fragrances--frankincense and myrrh. I know those, of course, because they were gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus. Frankincense was used by priests in worship. Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment, preparation for burial. It originates in the resin of a certain tree. These were symbolic gifts for a future Savior.
"Christ" literally means the "anointed one", the one appointed and sent by God for a specific purpose. For his ministry, his destiny, Jesus was anointed by the spirit. At the beginning of his ministry he read from the scroll and said: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."
The anointing by Mary at Bethany happens at the end of his public ministry, just before his final Passover. It foreshadowed his burial.
To be the 'anointed one' means that Jesus was called, set aside, destined for his divine task and unique calling. It was his destiny, to be---God incarnate, holy, and--- sacrament.
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