Matthew 26:6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
Kids grow up getting nicknames. What were some of yours? I had the unfortunate problem of my name which led to several nicknames. Stanley Arnold. Can you guess them?
The first was a historical figure from American history. Benedict Arnold the “traitor” was too sweet a label for it not to be applied to a class mate. Of course this was during an era when American history was actually taught. And we learned about people of all colors who helped form our “more perfect union.” But being called a “traitor” was not the thing I looked forward to each day.
The next one was a notch up from “traitor.” There was a TV show called “Green Acres” and one of the characters on this show as Arnold the pig. Traitor is pretty abstract so it bounced off, but the pig moniker hit home.
There was a third name that came my direction that I grabbed and celebrated. Mr. Terrific starred a character named Stanley who was a weakling gas station attendant by day and a top secret super agent for the government. You can see why I grabbed onto this nickname and ran with it. I was a weakling just like Stanley. I could become something great! Unfortunately, this show as canceled after only a half season of shows. A fickle audience is responsible for my downfall!
Our text contains a nickname that I’m not sure I would have held onto, “the leper.” Since he was healed I might have chosen “the man formerly know as ‘the leper’.” Being a leper placed you outside of society, unable to interact with the rest of humanity. So to keep that name after being healed….
And yet this is the name Simon lived with. He must have been a fairly wealthy individual, since he is able to host the banquet with Jesus as the special guest. Jesus had healed Simon’s leprosy, and he wanted people to know it. He didn’t mind walking about as one of Jesus’ miracles. Would you?
And at this banquet an unnamed woman anoints Jesus for his burial. She remains unnamed and Simon gets an extra name. Both are remembered, she for being unnamed and Simon for being healed. Both are all-stars in the Scriptures.
The Arnold Journey 