I hope that you do not look at my words and take away a finger pointing at hypocrisy but it instead by His grace this lights a flame to pour the love on the One whom loved much more. There are far more than life lessons in His words and I pray He presses those truths in our hearts that we by His grace may give freely the glory and love to our master.
Extra Credit: This is one of those times when the extra reading not only compliments but also far exceeds what I wrote. Please take a moment and look at your motive, look at the one whom should be the object, look first and foremost at His gift and in that may you find True Love to Christ.
Jhn 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Jhn 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Jhn 12:6 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.
- Was Judas the only disciple that questioned the use of Marys oil?
Though subtle there may be a contrast made of a grace filled believer and a hypocritical worshiper. Judas followed Jesus, prayed with the disciples, spoke outwardly righteous, and appeared to be a believer. He, in most appearances, was thinking only of the poor and what he says appeals to the flesh. Take out the words that he should betray Him, looking to this point alone on the merits of what he had done and said many would not even question him. The problem is not always what we see but the motive of a graceless heart. We also saw Mary at the feet of the Lord giving freely what she had. Fragrance kept for this day worth 300 pence, she used not for her glory or to be thought of highly for a costly gift but she desired all attention and honor to be poured on Jesus. The Holy Spirit moved this woman and filled her heart with love and faith. In contrast we go back to Judas who sells Christ for just 30 pence of silver. He turned attention from the Lord to men. Satan gored the heart of Judas and filled it with deceit and hatred.
