Jesus Rebukes Judas

Lesson #178

Before moving ahead to the next verse, let us stop and think about the difference between Mary and Judas. Mary’s response to the worth of Jesus was with a heart full of wonder, thankfulness and joy overflowing in lavish demonstrations of affection.  Judas felt none of that but valued money more than he valued Jesus; Mary loved Jesus; Judas loved money.

After Judas dishonored Mary for her costly, precious act of devotion toward Jesus, “Jesus [then] said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”” (John 12:7 – 8 ESV). Jesus quickly speaks up in defense of Mary and instructs Judas to leave her alone. The words of Judas were hurtful words toward Mary and they were words that revealed the sinful heart of one not devoted to Jesus. I think Judas is beginning to realize that Jesus is not who he thought he was; a Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom to free the Jews from the control of Rome. As treasurer, Judas had a growing interest in such a kingdom because it would fuel his greed. This excessive devotion to Jesus by Mary was seen by Judas as a waste and misdirection of resources. Mary sees this as a time of worship; Judas sees it as a business opportunity gone wrong. As the Jews plot to kill Jesus, Judas sees his dream of a position of wealth in this earthly kingdom fading and as a result his heart is growing cold and hard against Jesus.

The next phrase, “so that she may keep it for the day of my burial,” is difficult to explain because of disagreement among commentaries. John did not make it clear what Jesus meant by this statement, and as a result commentators have different views. To use the whole amount to anoint the feet of Jesus and then wipe them with her hair would seem to be way too ointment for feet and hair. To anoint his feet now and then his head several days later at Simon’s house would still seem to be too much. So maybe she used it to anoint his feet here at their home, then used some to anoint his head at Simon’s house and then used the remaining amount for his burial. Only in the Gospel of Mark is it reported that she broke the flask. It is this one detail that causes commentators to ignore the day difference and location difference and opt for one event. Since Mark is the only one that reports this detail and since it causes so much trouble I have to set it aside for now and say that I don’t know what Mark actually saw.

Jesus makes reference to the poor that Judas mentioned; “the poor you will always have with you,” points back to Deuteronomy 15:11: “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (ESV). Jesus is not discouraging helping the poor, but the focus now is to be on Jesus, who doesn’t have much time left before the cross. Mary seems to know the time is short and she is at work helping to prepare the stage for coming events. Time is short and Jesus still has much to do before the cross.

Prayer

Father, I see Mary in a state of worship and Judas as a disruption. We were created to worship God, and the powers of darkness are constantly at work to distract us. I find the more committed we are to a life of obedience, the greater the pressure from the enemy. I notice that as my brothers and sisters, in other countries, are obedient in sharing the Gospel, they face danger, possible loss of all earthly possessions, and possibly even the loss of life. This tension I see between the activities of Mary and of Judas is a reality for the one who faithfully walks with the Lord. Father, have mercy on believers here in the west as we try to live in safety and comfort in the face of this tension. Help us stay focused, as Jesus demonstrates in his rebuke to Judas, and be willing to pay the price of obedience.