4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

 

 

Since Mary’s love was shown by what she gave to Jesus; Judas displays a concern for the poor that is revealed to be hypocritical. So many people fake love. It is especially true when it comes to responding to Jesus. There are many ulterior motives. People want others to think they are Christians and love Jesus.

    

It reminded me of the woman that made her suffering husband suffer in the heat of the summer by keeping the windows closed because she didn't want the people in the other cars to think they didn't have an air-conditioner. 

   

Judas had just witnessed the action of surpassing loveliness in Mary and ended up calling it an action of extravagant waste.  An embittered man takes an embittered view of something.  One can easily be in love and see things through rose colored glasses; another may be filled with hurt or hate and all they see in another's action is cause for further criticism and contempt.

   

Judas condemned what Mary did because he said that the expensive perfume should not be wasted in that way, but at least saved and sold so the money could be distributed to the poor. We also see behind the scenes, as God sees all the time.  We see not only the words that make Judas sound very pious and practical, but also the motive which had nothing to do with his statement. He was a thief.  He didn't want that money to be used for Jesus but put in the treasury.  There he could have some control over it and indeed even have access to use it for his own wants.  Judas was testifying of his concern for the poor, but his heart before God is full of pretense. Jesus knows that. He is not motivated out of love or concern for others or because of his love for Christ, but rather selfishness.

      

The poor indeed could and should be helped. That was Jesus' teaching but now was a time of worship - which is a priority.  Jesus made it clear that there was only a short time that He would be there with them and now was the right time to share their love for Him.

   

This is a good reminder for us that our relationships here on earth are temporary. Tell people you love them while they are living; they will not hear it once they are gone. Do you want to do something nice for someone, do it now, you will regret it if you don't when it is too late.

    

But do not misunderstand this passage to mean that helping the poor is not important. The Bible is full of instructions that teaches one of the ways we serve our God is to have a heart that is benevolent.  Deut.  15:11 says, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." We need to be aware and desirous of helping the poor, the victims, the unfortunate around us.  We will always have poor with us and one of the ways God meets their needs is through believers.  We are doing God's work when we care for others whose circumstances are different than ours. There are many legitimate needs that are going unmet unless we do something.

 

Dale