Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Fifth Sunday of Lent 2025

Last weekend, I escaped for a day to the countryside, and visited the village of Cookham - on the River Thames. The home of the twentieth-century artist Stanley Spencer. Spencer’s extraordinary body of work has a very particular style and harnesses great skill. Like many artists, he painted commissions to pay the rent, but when he painted for pleasure and with purpose, he often turned to scenes from scripture for inspiration, and the surroundings and people of his village for the setting – bringing them all together.

In Spencer’s paintings, the Last Supper, Jesus carrying the cross, and the crucifixion all take place in the village of Cookham – and the general resurrection on the Last Day is witnessed and captured in the village churchyard. It is not just the location that is special in Spencer’s work – but the perspective – these biblical moments are accessible and familiar, and being familiar can be more challenging. 

His painting of the crucifixion is viewed from behind Christ, and slightly above, looking over his shoulder – looking at those who are looking at him, and we do not like what we see. Nails being driven in with gusto... abuse being hurled... and then we notice Mary prostrate on the ground.

Without the usual separation of history or culture to put us at a safe distance from the image... we are present, witnessing, invited, and perhaps implicated, in the sufferings of Christ.

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent – known as Passion Sunday – the beginning of Passiontide. Having spent time in the wilderness with Christ, we turn now to contemplate – the approaching events of Holy Week - his ‘Passion’ (that is his trial and suffering) – and his death and resurrection to come.

Our Gospel reading begins as Jesus comes to the village of Bethany – 

we know from the previous chapter that he no longer ‘walked about openly’, as it was too dangerous – The High Priest, Caiaphas, has recently prophesied that Jesus will die for the nation, the religious authorities want to arrest him... the net is closing in... Raising Lazarus from the dead has (unsurprisingly) caused a stir, and word is spreading – surely this is the work of the Messiah – the anointed one.... Can it be true that he is really here?

So Jesus coming to Bethany at this point is both dangerous and significant - a village where he is known and loved – the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary - he is in familiar company - on familiar ground. Here he can rest and refresh and prepare for what is to come. But it will come now – there is no turning back.

Martha and Mary both know, by faith, who Jesus is – they were witnesses to the resurrection of their brother, Lazarus; and now, as Jesus dines with their brother, and in the intimate company of friends and supporters, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with precious ointment that fills the air with a heady scent  – and with loving devotion unfiltered – she wipes his feet with her hair. There are echoes and allusions to the Song of Solomon and the psalms, where nard gave forth its fragrance to the reclining king[1]... where God anoints the righteous with the oil of gladness...’[2]

To look upon our Lord’s feet with Mary, is to contemplate the journey they have made, and will make - from the manger, to the Jordan, through the wilderness… through Judea, Samaria, Galilee; across the Sea of Tiberias – calming the waters in their wake. And to recollect this journey and consider the next stage is to recognise that this extravagant and eccentric anointing is a moment of great significance – a recognition that the one who is ‘full of grace and truth’ is here – the divine presence receiving domestic hospitality - can this really be true? 

Mary has kept the oil for the time of his burial – but he is very much alive as she anoints his feet in recognition and anticipation. It is Nicodemus who will bring Myrrh and Aloes to his tomb when the time comes.[3] At the feet of the living, breathing Messiah can any response be too extravagant?

The complaint from Judas that the precious ointment should have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor, is not on the face of it an unreasonable challenge – but it reveals that, in contrast to Mary, he does not understand the significance of the moment and the act at all.

In answer, Jesus directs Judas to the law of charity laid down by Moses in Deuteronomy –in the same breath it states ‘there will never cease to be some in need upon the earth’,[4] but that the needs of the poor should always be met, and cheerfully. In quoting this, Jesus confirms the permanent place of charity for people of faith – and that extravagance does not cancel charity – they each have their place in the economy of grace. Judas sets up a false dichotomy.

In our second reading - St Paul is writing to the Philippians – warning them not to be distracted and restricted by those who would have them adhere to the law of Moses before following Christ. He declares that he can speak with authority on this matter – for no one has been more rigorous and righteous in terms of the law - but he now understands and wants the church to understand, that it pales in comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Christ - knowing the Lord.

For Paul, it is no longer about learning, understanding, repeating and defending theological positions and laws - but knowing Christ - faith in Christ brings relationship... a way of life – a perspective – an imperative of its own that surpasses all others.

‘To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God’ [5] 

John’s gospel account begins with the Word of God becoming flesh and living among us - that is the ‘big picture’ - our relationship with God has been forever changed.

The scene in Bethany – brings the divine presence into loving relationship with those who honour him and follow him, and believe in him... by inviting him to visit their humble village and dwell in their modest home.

The artist Stanley Spencer would surely have us do the same.

In coming close to Christ this Passiontide – in walking with him, and sharing in the intimacy of his fellowship and suffering – in meditating on his words and his wounds – his passion and resurrection – we are given profound relationship and perspective... and will find ourselves walking with Christ in all places and trials of our own.

To see Christ in our communities – to trace his teaching, his healing, his grace and his suffering in the lives of those around us – is not seeking to domesticate the glory and mystery of God... but an honouring of the intimacy of the Incarnation.

Brothers and sisters, we are not there yet.

But with our beloved brother in Christ, Paul - and in the company of our blessed Lord - let us press on to Jerusalem. 

Let us press on home.