March 15: How money ruins everything
John 12:1-19 TNIV from Biblegateway.com
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
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.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Devotional Comments:
“Jesus is anointed at Bethany.” This NIV title to this text is great. It makes this passage sound peaceful and full of inspiration. Well, the passage does not live up to this title. It is more about money.
Money is so complicated in the church and this passage just about sums it up. First, we have the anointing. Mary takes a full bottle of expensive perfume and uses the whole thing to wash Jesus’ feet. Then, we have Judas Iscariot telling her that she should have sold it and given the money to the poor. Judas is then exposed as a thief in the story.
At the end of this passage, we have the chief priest worried about his Jews leaving him and following Jesus instead. The chief priest is so angry about losing his tithers, he plots to kill Lazarus (again!). The poor guy just rose from the dead and can not get a break.
Why do we as always think that someone else should be doing something else with their money? Mary anointed Jesus! Out of that comes a disturbance over money. Jesus says, “Leave her alone….You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:7-8. He is trying to put the issue to rest. Did he not just raise Lazarus from the dead? Is that not why they are gathered in celebration of this glorious miracle? Greed can consume you if you let it, it will take over every part of your life, and it will blind you from the miracles happening around you. Don’t let this happen in your life!
Stephanie Hall
Pray for God to help us have the proper attitude regarding money.