A Goody From Woody

Two thousand years ago this story occurred.

“Six days before Passover, 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 have me.’” --John 12:1-8, The Message

As we look back 2000 years at this story, did you see, hear and smell?

Did you smell the pint of pure nard used to anoint Jesus’ feet? The whole room was full of the fragrance of Mary’s love and devotion to Jesus.

Did you hear the outrageous comments of Judas? Judas tells us it is a waste to use this expensive nard on Jesus’ feet. (It was equal to 300 denarii or approximately 300 day’s wages.) Listen to Jesus’ response to Judas, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.”

Do you see the contrast? Judas is full of the deadly sins of greed and covetousness and even dishonesty. Do you see the generous gift of Mary of Bethany at the opposite side of the room? She loves and adores her Savior. She is devoted to Him. Money is only a tool to surrender to God so that others are benefited and He gets the glory. Mary was not stingy but extraordinarily generous.

Do you remember the C.S. Lewis quote that fits Judas here? Lewis wrote, “Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst.”

Go out and give generously of your money, time, and energy for the glory of God!!
God Bless,

Woody