You Have the Poor Always But Not Jesus - Matthew 26:11

Matthew the apostle wrote how a woman came to Jesus, “having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble you the woman? for she has wrought a good work upon me”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse eleven of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus told His disciples, “you have the poor always with you … but not me” where we read:

For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always.

The verse reads, “For you have the poor always with you;” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “you have the poor always” or “the disciples continually would have people who are reduced to beggary, begging and asking alms who are destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor” “with you” or “alongside the disciples” . Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples the “destitute” would “always” be with them.

The verse goes on to say, “but me you have not always.” Matthew continued with the word, “but” which means “however” “me you have not always” or “the disciples would not continually have Jesus with them”. Matthew shared how Jesus said He would “not always” be with the disciples.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see a difference between the time the “poor” would be with the disciples and how long Jesus would be with them. Jesus was going to be with the “disciples” for a little longer, however, the “poor” would always be around them. Jesus was concerned with the “eternal” lives of people, and He came to “save” them from their sins so they might live with Him forever. Those who are wise will yield their lives to Jesus and afterward correctly understand the relationship of ministering to “the poor”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “she has poured this ointment on my body … for my burial”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.