300 versus 30!

John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover (that is, today), Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them. Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don’t always ha ve me.” Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him.

Food for thought!

Six days before Passover! Mary brought her perfume, very expensive. Judas calculated it to cost 300 silver pieces. Now, to get an idea of this, remember that Jesus was valued at 30 silver pieces. This perfume was 10x more expensive than Jesus, that is according to Judas. That is why this man saw it as sheer waste.

This story is a carry on of yesterday, which as you remember, was about giving and getting: "Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself." Jesus emptied himself, that is, he gave all he had and was. The donkey owner gave it all for good, never to get it back. Today, a wom an called Mary gave away for good her very expensive perfume to Jesus. Just as the donkey man, Mary gave her perfume for Jesus' sake. FOR JESUS' SAKE.

There are things we do for Jesus' sake; things we give away for the sake of Jesus. Please, do consider what you can and will give away this week for the sake of Jesus; something you would rather not give away if it was not for Jesus and because of Jesus. Our example is Jesus himself, who emptied himself completely; he broke his bottle of life for us. He too, poured every drop out for our sake. I wonder if we have ever broken the alabaster box of our life to spend it for the sake of Jesus. That's what Jesus does throughout this holy week. Holy week is about giving our best, doing our best, being our best, talking our best, loving our best and serving our best. Nothing but the best should come out of ourselves.

As you do your best in life for the sake of Jesus, someone like Judas will criticize you. Judas are over the place,  especially where good is done. Don't be discouraged by them. As long as Jesus is happy with your action, go ahead and do it. Jesus will defend you as well.