John 12:1-8
12: Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
Reflection
The contrast between Mary and Judas is stark. Mary reclines at Jesus’ feet in adoring love, offering her devotion —anointing him for his burial. Judas arrogantly criticizes, not only questioning Mary’s action but judging Jesus for his willingness to accept the gift. She is a worshiper; he is a thief. She gives sacrificial honor; he seeks personal gain (Matt. 26:15). She demonstrates the way of grace; he displays the way of sin.
This story should remind us of a similar scene recorded in Luke’s Gospel, where an unnamed sinful woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, while Simon, a self-righteous Pharisee, “murders” Jesus in his heart (Luke 7:36–50). Those who have been forgiven much love much. Those who are greedy for much will be greedy for more.
Hebrews 11:1-7
11: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Reflection
In this great chapter on faith, the heroes and heroines of faith have much in common. Often their faith is directed to the future, which is unseen: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Why this emphasis? The author is writing to those who have trusted in Christ under the threat of persecution. He wants them to endure so that they can obtain God’s unseen, future promises. He wants his readers to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (6:12). That is what the faith-filled men and women in chapter 11 do—and it is what we must all do because it is impossible to please God unless we set our hope on the future rewards that he promises (11:6). We will find fuel for our ability to endure until the end by putting our faith in the God who promises the fullness of his grace to us in Christ.
Psalm 29:2
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
We must forsake every critical and greedy response that resembles Judas, and embrace the adoring response of Mary (John 12:1–8). Pray that God would heal your heart of greed and make you more like Mary, whose gratitude and faith in Jesus produced lavish worship.