The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?”, and in chapter twelve and verse six of his book John shared how Judas said this, “not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “This he said, not that he cared for the poor;” John began with the words, “this he said” which means “the words concerning selling the ointment and giving the proceeds to the poor which Judas uttered, declared and proclaimed was”, “not that he cared” or “no and in no way was it because Judas had interest and concern” “for the poor” which means “on behalf of people who were reduced to begging, destitute of wealth, afflicted and helpless”. John shared how “Judas” did not make his proclamation because he was concerned for “impoverished people”.
The verse continues, “but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” John added the words, “but because he was a thief” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover since and on account that he, Judas, existed as a robber, embezzler and pilferer”, “and had the bag” or “and carried, held on to and possessed the case or purse in which to keep money”, “and bare what was put therein” which means “and upheld, sustained, supported and carried off whatever was placed, set and established within the purse”. John shared how “Judas” was a “robber and embezzler” and was like a treasurer for Jesus and the disciples who carried the “purse of money”.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn not only that “Judas” was the “treasurer” for Jesus and the disciples, but also that the “love of money” was in his heart. “Mary” anointed the feet of Jesus and thereby worshiped Him. Judas criticized her worship because he saw her effort as a “waste of money”. Paul the apostle wrote, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (See 1 Timothy 1:6), and those who are wise will examine their hearts, be certain the love of money doesn't rule them and submit their lives in worship to the only One who can save them and owns it all. (See Psalms 24:1)
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “let her alone: against the day of my burying has she kept this”, 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. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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