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Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." (John 12:1-8 New Revised Standard)
Happy Monday of Blessings, dear Friend! I pray this finds you well and enjoying God's rich blessings at work in your life. I trust you had a wonderful weekend and found time to worship and be blessed by the word of God! As we pray today, please pray a special prayer for Mrs. Katy Gomez, beloved wife of The Rev. Isabel Gomez of Dallas; a long time friend and colleague of mine. His wife and fellow co-laborer of his, is now in hospice care having suffered for many years from dementia. He tried to wake her the other morning but could not; the hospital sent her home under hospice care. These are trying days for my brother and we pray God's comfort and peace be in their household. Pray for one another, pray for yourselves.
Have you ever had a Judas thought? You know, the kind where you go against your better judgment and you think and say something that falls flat, or worse, goes against God? Have you ever had a Jesus through? One that speaks truth about God's plan and purpose for your life, or the life of someone you know? Which do you suppose is better?
Jesus is attending yet another covered dish meal at the home of friends. This home should have been named Resurrection House, because the man of the house was the once four days dead, Lazarus, and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus had eaten here before and wasn't afraid to return, so the food had to be good. Jesus had, on one of His visits, to referee a disagreement between the two sisters, for one sat at His feet listening to Him teach, while the other sister had to prepare the meal. Jesus spoke about what was the greater thing. This time, that same sister, while her sister served the meal, took a pound of costly perfume and began to anoint Jesus' feet, and wiped the feet with her hair. Interesting to read that the house was filled with the perfume's fragrance. It was the smell of a very expensive perfume, but it was also the smell of love. These two owed Jesus their lives and especially that of their brother, who as mentioned above, had been sick, died, buried, and four days later, Jesus raised him from the dead. The stage was set for a memorable evening, but the Judas thought and comment tied to it, could have ruined it. Judas wonders why this action should even take place? The better action, says he, is to take that costly perfume and sell it and to give the money to the poor. Luke adds his editorial opinion, that common to the other 11 disciples, that Judas cared more about money than he did for the poor. He was the treasurer of the group and as Luke says, "used to steal what was put into it." The smell of love could have once again taken the stench of family disagreements, but Jesus, once again, makes things right. "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial." Again, a reference to His coming death, for we first read it was six days before the Passover, seven until His death. Then a reference to the poor; "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." Indeed.
The poor hold a special place in God's heart, as they should in ours. But Jesus should have first place in our hearts and lives. Mary certainly did, as did Martha, and Lazarus. It would take some time, but the disciples also put Jesus first once they completely realized all that had been Jesus' plan for them and their lives.
What about you? Are you being guided by Jesus' thoughts or by Judas' thoughts. Are you seeking to know and understand and follow the "big picture" of God, or have you been sidetracked to see only the smaller Judas picture? One leads to life, the other does not.
PRAYER: Loving God, open our minds to see Your presence and guidance in our lives. May our thoughts be Your thoughts, and drive out those thoughts which become Judas thoughts if we are not careful. We want to serve You and make You first in our lives. We pray for Katy and Chapel this morning asking Your will be done. Send Your comfort and peace to their home. All these things we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Think thoughts of life and love today and share them with those who might be down the Judas path!
Love to you all,
Eradio Valverde
