“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus,…” John 12:3
Read Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-11
The home of Simon the Leper, in the town of Bethany, became a place to remember when Mary anointed Jesus with a very expensive perfume in preparation for His death.
The disciples, by this time, had likely developed a sense of prestige. They followed Jesus, rubbing shoulders with people from all stations of life. They loved Him. They desired to protect Him. Yet, they had not fully grasped the notion of worshiping and ministering.
Mary recognized the best place was at Jesus’ feet. She had sat there before, listening to His teachings. On this day, she worshipped Him by pouring on His feet a costly perfume she likely had saved for years to purchase. She loved Him. She desired to give something to Him that cost her greatly. She ignored the murmurs of those around her and did what her heart, molded by His teachings and His manner to her, propelled her to do—sacrifice a costly ointment.
Then there was Judas Iscariot. Often portrayed as the antagonist when his name is mentioned. Judas had been welcomed into the twelve by Jesus—even handpicked by Him. He’d been given a very important job: the treasurer, keeper of the bag (containing the money of which he helped himself to now and again). Judas took offense to Mary’s gift, but not in truth. He wanted the ointment sold for money so he could access it, not because he cared for the poor. Nonetheless, he speaks up and says, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” John 12:5.
Had Judas’ attitude filtered to the other disciples? According to both Mark and Matthew, Jesus’ disciples had indignation over the ‘waste’. However, consider this, they were all guilty of self-importance. In a crowd of many different people, if one appeared to care for the poor, one might be hailed a charitable person, a person of good religion. This was not how Jesus saw it.
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land:…” Deuteronomy 15:11
Jesus references this verse in His defense of Mary’s action. Each person there would be familiar with it, including the disciples. A bit of a smack down, wouldn’t you say? Jesus pointed out this action of Mary was not only important, it would be remembered for as long as the gospel is preached.
Judas, no doubt, had enough of feeling belittled by Jesus. He’d given room to haughty thoughts and bitterness. Not long, and he’d be wholly taken over by Satan, leading to his betrayal of Jesus.
Indignation. Humiliation. Haughtiness. Bitterness. All these describe Judas, but do we, at times, allow thoughts that lead down the same road? Do we sometimes hold a standard of religion or righteousness we’ve set higher than the worship of Christ?
If I’m honest? I have at times. The thoughts slip in usually under the guise of upholding the appearance of righteousness, or not wanting to give room for anyone to question my faith. How many times have I allowed myself to get puffed up, because I worked for such and such a ministry, or I serve in such and such a capacity, and forget I’m not to be honored…God is. I’m not to be held in high esteem. God is. And when I let my determination to hold up a ministry I am responsible for over worshiping God, well, I’m behaving the same as Judas Iscariot.
Indignation sneaks in and disrupts the communion we have with Christ and with one another.
Have you of late taken offense for something someone has done to glorify God but at the cost of another ministry?
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followers not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50
Then there was Judas Iscariot. Often portrayed as the antagonist when his name is mentioned. Judas had been welcomed into the twelve by Jesus—even handpicked by Him. He’d been given a very important job: the treasurer, keeper of the bag (containing the money of which he helped himself to now and again). Judas took offense to Mary’s gift, but not in truth. He wanted the ointment sold for money so he could access it, not because he cared for the poor. Nonetheless, he speaks up and says, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” John 12:5.
Had Judas’ attitude filtered to the other disciples? According to both Mark and Matthew, Jesus’ disciples had indignation over the ‘waste’. However, consider this, they were all guilty of self-importance. In a crowd of many different people, if one appeared to care for the poor, one might be hailed a charitable person, a person of good religion. This was not how Jesus saw it.
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land:…” Deuteronomy 15:11
Jesus references this verse in His defense of Mary’s action. Each person there would be familiar with it, including the disciples. A bit of a smack down, wouldn’t you say? Jesus pointed out this action of Mary was not only important, it would be remembered for as long as the gospel is preached.
Judas, no doubt, had enough of feeling belittled by Jesus. He’d given room to haughty thoughts and bitterness. Not long, and he’d be wholly taken over by Satan, leading to his betrayal of Jesus.
Indignation. Humiliation. Haughtiness. Bitterness. All these describe Judas, but do we, at times, allow thoughts that lead down the same road? Do we sometimes hold a standard of religion or righteousness we’ve set higher than the worship of Christ?
If I’m honest? I have at times. The thoughts slip in usually under the guise of upholding the appearance of righteousness, or not wanting to give room for anyone to question my faith. How many times have I allowed myself to get puffed up, because I worked for such and such a ministry, or I serve in such and such a capacity, and forget I’m not to be honored…God is. I’m not to be held in high esteem. God is. And when I let my determination to hold up a ministry I am responsible for over worshiping God, well, I’m behaving the same as Judas Iscariot.
Indignation sneaks in and disrupts the communion we have with Christ and with one another.
Have you of late taken offense for something someone has done to glorify God but at the cost of another ministry?
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followers not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50
