The story of Judas is one of the most, if not the most tragic of stories in the Bible. A man who was given the opportunity to walk with God, as had not been done since Adam and Eve. He, and others of that day, witnessed miracles first hand. And yet the Bible says we are more blessed:
John 20:29 KJVS
[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
I’m not sure of what it was that caused Judas to betray God, but I know the final straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back: Greed.
Matthew 26:6-16 KJVS
[6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. [8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. [10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. [11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. [12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. [13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. [14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, [15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
As we’re going into the Christmas holiday, I have a difficult time coping with myself. I feel my o inner brat rising to the surface. The one who loves stuff! Stuff for me, stuff for my hubs, kids and grandkids. Decorating stuff, etc., etc., etc. I love all things Christmas. This morning on the 20th day of November, a week before Thanksgiving, I’m sitting in my bedroom with a small decorated tree, snowflakes on my curtains and a few gifts ready to wrap. And then there is the world outside my snowflake adorned windows that has people starving, and I want to keep my life in prospective and focus of God’s design and purpose. That is why the story of the Alabaster box caught my attention this morning.
When Judas seen the woman break the Alabaster box, he, as well as the other disciples were shocked. That box of ointment was the equivalency of a years salary. I’ve read that it could be valued today from 20,000 to 50,000 dollars. There is no doubt in my mind that it garnered some attention. It would in our world today! But for Judas it was more than just shock and awe. It was greed and gall. He didn’t even want the money for the ministry, he wanted it for himself. And at that point he traded hope for the almighty dollar.
Greed comes in many forms and degrees today. It does more division than an 8th grade math class. It divides homes, churches and businesses. And takes a terrible tole on the spirit of man. One might wonder how the woman with the alabaster box over came it.
She overcame it by owning it.
She Owned the Box
She literally owned the box of spikenard ointment. If anyone had known they’d have probably knocked her in the head and took it. But it obviously wasn’t something she flaunted. She would have kept it close. I’m sure there was a sense of security in having something so valuable. Until she discovered the Lord. That’s when
She Owned the Bad
She knew the life she had lead had been what gave her the ability to have something so valuable. But having met God she realized that what He offered was far more valuable than the box and it’s contents. It meant she could own up to what she had done, and then live as if it had never happened. Glory to God, doesn’t forgiveness feel wonderful.
She Owned the Blessing
Acts 20:35 KJVS
[35] I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
If Judas had truly intended to give the money to those who needed it, she might not have broken the box and poured out it’s content. Perhaps they would have used the money from the sale of the spikenard. But God sees through the greed of man. He knows the intents of the heart without causing us to prove it to the rest of the world. And so that day the spikenard poured upon the Lord and the aroma would have been amazing! Wafting all the way to Heaven. Just as does the gift that are now passed on the Lord with a right heart.
What are you and I “owning” today. It’s the season of giving; are we giving away that which we own. And are we owning that which we fail at? I’ve got my share of owning up to do. We have to be very careful about the power of greed and all other evil spirits. Judas kept tempting himself until greed took hold and he missed out on an eternity of bliss for a few days of wealth. God helps us not to lose sight of the season. Let us have the heart of Mary.