Friday 24th March
Read John 12:4-8
“But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 ‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.’” (NIVUK)
The contrast John presents between Mary and Judas becomes clear. Mary is willing to pour out $70000 worth of perfume on Jesus out of devotion. Judas considers this extravagant waste and argues that much more practical use could have been made by distributing the value in the perfume to many others less fortunate. John makes it clear that it is not concern for the poor, or devotion to Jesus, that motivates Judas – but simply the desire to distribute some of that value to himself. One act is selfless, the other selfish.
Therein lies the challenge to us. For the truth of the matter is that every one of us, at some point, has thought Judas’ thoughts. Many of us even secretly agree with him. Who hasn’t visited a majestic cathedral and wondered if the expense and time involved in erecting it could more usefully have been spent looking after people. Surely the church could meet in a field or a house or a school hall and not engage in vanity building projects. Should fiscal responsibility trump extravagant devotion?
Two responses to Jesus are held before us. The reality is there is a little bit of Mary in us (hopefully) and a little bit of Judas (hopefully). We are far gentler on ourselves than we are on others. We know our own internal thoughts and they often excuse us and justify our actions where, when we look at the behaviour of others, we are far more critical. Which do you need to be more wary of? The selfishness of Judas or the selflessness of Mary? An honest appraisal of our motives is always wise. But equally, a recognition of the need to draw near to Jesus in order to reveal our motives is just as important. Pray that your knowledge of and need for Jesus will only grow…
