Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray with Me”.

If you were Jesus, would you choose Judas as treasurer? Knowing that he was stealing from the money bag and preparing to betray you? 

My church has stricter standards. Thieves not welcome anywhere near our treasury!

Despite his faults, Judas thought clearly about cost-benefit and return on investment. In John 12, Mary, sister of Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead, took a jar of pure nard perfume, worth maybe $50,000 today and poured it on Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. 

A deeply disturbing act. What an extravagant show of love and worship, with complete disregard for expense. Judas, the treasurer, was shocked, shocked. Doing a quick cost-benefit analysis, he said, “What a waste! We could have sold that and given the proceeds to the poor!” (v 4-5).

Gospel writer John was not convinced. He says, “Judas didn’t care about the poor. He had his hand in the money bag.” An extra $50 grand? Judas would be glad to take care of it. 

Jesus defended Mary’s extravagance. “Don’t criticize. She is anointing me for my burial. The poor will always be with you, but I won’t be here much longer” (v 7). 

Two comments. 

Did Mary understand that Jesus would soon die? Jesus had just finished proving he is  the resurrection and the life. So what’s this burial he’s talking about? 

My second comment. This story finishes the first half of John’s gospel. Jesus has publicly revealed himself as God’s son, as one with God, as one who holds power over life and death. Some believed. Many rejected the light. 

Now the story moves to Jesus’ private ministry, as he prepares his disciples for the next stage of the journey. 

Let’s pray. 

O father, like Judas we are obsessed with money. We measure our days by our income, and our identity by our treasures. We hoard and indulge instead of blessing and giving.

O father, root out the Judas spirit from our hearts. Teach us to see you through a lens of love, not through a lens of money. Help us hold our treasures loosely. Help us use them for worship, for good works. Help us to be givers and lovers. 

Amen.

I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.

YouTube channel: Pray with Me – YouTube.