Devotionals
(By Vanessa Lewis)
In John chapter 12, John tells the story of Mary (His follower, not his mom) who pours out all a full bottle of pours leftover from Lazarus' burial, on to Jesus' feet, the aroma fills the room, and she wipes his feet clean with her hair.
This is an act of devotion and worship to her and our Lord. Judas mocked her and said you could have sold that and given the money to the poor. What a waste!
(Judas, as we know would later betray Jesus by selling out his location for the romans to arrest him)
Then John tells us a little of Judas' character: he would never give toi the poor, in fact he would steal from the money the box that the disciples carried around, he was in charge of it.
And it hit me: Jesus knew Judas would steal and yet He put him in charge of the cash box.
Jesus knew Judas' character, and his later choice to betray his friend and yet i Jesus' loving nature, He was in giving Judas the chance and opportunity to repent and to change his ways.
Jesus put Judas in charge of the money, even though Jesus knew he would steal.
Here is the full passage, NKJV version, John 12:1-7.
(Devotional continues below bible passage)
The Anointing at Bethany
12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was [a]who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for [b]three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 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.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; [c]she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Jesus understands all. He knows all.
- When we serve others, are we doing it for the praise on Social media, or because God sees?
- When we do our career's work for 9 to 5, or homework for school, are we trying to please the boss or our teacher, or are we working hard simply to honor and please God? (who honors preparation and hard work)
- When we lead the congregation in worship, are we looking to do a good job for them, or because we love and want to honor our audience of One which is God? Do we lead them to worship, rather than in worship (LINK) because we love Jesus so much?
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
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