Jesus is Worthy

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected. “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.” 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. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of My burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.”

What is a day's work worth? What about a whole year's wages, what would that be worth? The average family in Ky earns about $22,000 each year. Imagine if you have this much as once. What would you do with it? What if you had a possession that was worth that much? When we buy a vehicle, we often pay that much for it. If we had a possession that was worth that much in value, I'm sure we would protect it and value it according to its worth.

The Bible tells of a woman that took an alabaster jar that was full of perfumes and poured it out on Jesus. Judas said that the perfume was worth about a whole year's salary! Just think about what this woman did for Jesus. Judas complained about it. He said that the woman had wasted the perfume when she poured it out on Jesus. Today people have the same attitude as Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus!

When you give to Jesus, people will criticize you for giving something valuable to God. People often say that if you spend your time with God then you are wasting time. If you go to church two or three times a week to learn about Jesus or to make yourself available to help others, some will tell you that you are going to church too much. If you spend an hour watching TV people will not think anything about it. But if you spend an hour with Jesus in prayer, people will accuse you of being 'too religious.'

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

It was Judas, the one that betrayed Jesus, that did not want this woman to give such attention to Jesus. Will you love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength like the Bible says? Do you feel you don't have to give that much to Jesus? To do any less would be like having the same mind set as Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus to death.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.