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The Gospel of John, The Period of Crisis, First Part, The Return to Bethany, Part III, John 12:7,8 - Lesson 100
Read Verses John 12:4-6 for review: Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Notice how quickly the price of the ointment came to Judas.
Judas' mind was concentrated and geared to money.
He thought about it and he had so arranged his life that all things were valued in terms of money.
All his decisions were made in terms of money.
Everything was financial.
He loved money and John tells us that he had the bag and bare what was in it.
He loved to be around it and handle it and count it and he built his life around it.
No doubt Judas was supposed to have been giving money to the poor because he uses that excuse to blame Mary for wasting the ointment on Jesus.
He wanted to line his pockets with the money instead of doing what he was supposed to do with it.
He wanted the 300 pence in his bag so he could cream his share off of the top.
What meaneth this waste?
How can you take such valuable ointment and pour it in one extravagant moment upon this man?
Judas had no heart for worship. His heart was petty and selfish.
He did not know that there is no such thing as waste when it concerns worship of God.
Love cannot give too much.
John is not a modern writer; he does not paint a pretty picture about Judas.
He does not try to picture him in a good light.
He does not try to find some good in him.
He does not try to analyze him and find out why he is what he is and to try to find the spark of goodness in him.
He simply tells us that he was a thief.
John 12:7,8, Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Jesus rebukes Judas with intensity.
Don't stop her from doing this!
Don't meddle with her worship and devotion!
Let her alone! meaning get out of her way. Let her be.
Don't interfere with this important event.
You Judas, leave!
Let her stay and continue this act of devotion and worship.
Would you have interfered with her doing this if I were dead and in need of burial preparation?
Jesus knew that Mary was the only follower who had heard him.
She was the hearer of his word.
She had sat at his feet and listened to him tell about his coming death and burial.
She had thought about it and realized he was to die. |