Loyalty makes a good cowboy and a better friend.”
–David Fitz-Gerald (First Drive)
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
–Romans 14:17(NKJV)
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Several weeks ago I wrote about the anointing of Jesus that took place at the dinner at Simon’s house. This morning I want to again look at that feast and look at those who sat at the table with Jesus. We see, of course, Simon who was most likely healed by Jesus. There was Mary, the thoughtful, contemplative sister and the cheerful, active, and busy Martha. Whatever their faults they had a deep devotion to Jesus. They rested their faith and hopes in Him. Lazarus sat with Jesus, the man who had tasted death and was imprisoned by the tomb until the words of Jesus put life back into him. For some reason, this miracle enraged the Pharisees and especially the Saduccees. Also there were a number of unnamed guests who were there to see the risen Lazarus and the miracle-worker, Jesus.
Sitting at the table were the disciples; those closest to Him as others had left Him. This dinner took place six days before the Passover–six days before the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus was at Bethany–a rest before the coming mighty battle. There came a woman to anoint Him. John says it was Mary, whether Martha’s sister or someone else is not the point of this discussion, but that Jesus was anointed. He recognized the significance of it.
That brings us to another person at the table, the son of perdition, Judas Iscariot. He was one of the twelve disciples still following Jesus. Several disciples were indignant when the expensive spikenard was broken open and Jesus was anointed. But it seems that Judas became the spokesman for the others who may have been upset. Judas–never truly devout to the mission of Jesus. Judas–who wanted a kingdom on earth, and perhaps may have been trying to manipulate Jesus, who would not waver in His commitment to His Father and to mankind. Judas–who never set his affections on things above.
With this anointing we get a true glimpse of Judas. It was a sweet, loving, and devoted gesture by Mary; it hushed the guests, that is, all but Judas who spoke out against it. He rejected the expense of the waste, and with that he rejected the coming crucifixion. F.M. Krummacher states, “Never, probably has frigid self-love stood in such horrible contrast with warm and sacred affection.” Why this waste? proclaimed Judas. Then showing his hypocritical life and materialistic nature, he said that it could have been sold to feed the poor. John records the depth of Judas’ soul however, “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (12:6, NKJV) Judas knew the value of the spikenard, but not the value of the love that provided it.
Did Judas not remember the words of Jesus, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”? (Matthew 6:21, NKJV) I’m sure Jesus cast a dour look at Judas’ outburst. It was right after this dinner and anointing that the heart of Judas began to be exposed. Judas–the manipulator; Judas–the thief; Judas–the soon betrayer will break away from the other disciples and meet with the chief priests. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” (Matthew 26:14-16, NKJV)
What a sad, deplorable choice. A seemingly devout follower of Jesus has willingly sold his soul to the devil. We should ask, “why this waste?” A wasted life. Instead of having his name recorded in the annals of history as a great disciple, he is known as the “great deceiver.” Dante, in his “Inferno” has Judas and Brutus as the very lowest level in the pit of hell–the betrayers. But how many others have not taken the opportunity to follow Jesus? How many others could the same be said–“why this waste?”