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.
