The anointing of Jesus in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper is
told in eight verses of the twenty-sixth chapter while the next three
verses give an account of Judas in the act of selling the Master. In the
first account we have devotion and in the second desertion. Extremes
have done what they often do and here we behold them each confronting
the other.
A woman poured precious ointment on the head of Jesus as he sat at meat.
Her devotion transcended all ordinary bounds being justified by His
transcendent ministry. Had He not taught her lessons which no other
teacher ever unfolded? Had he not befriended her when Lazarus lay in the
tomb? Her ministry, so sincere and so timely, fills a place in his life
and work and hence her deed of devotion is accepted with approval and
even woven into the gospel record as a memorial of her.
Do we wonder why the disciples become critics, if not opposers, and ask
with indignation, “To what purpose is this waste?” They saw no reason
for it, no excuse. Unaware of the near approach of Christ’s death and
burial they were quite well informed as to the cash value of the
ointment. They were living on a business basis and thinking of an empty
treasury and the needs of the poor. But Jesus explained to them just why
they made complaint and why this woman anointed him.
It is apparent that the disciples are not yet free from commercialism or
they would know that devotion to Christ always helps and never hinders
ministering to the poor. They are devoted to Jesus and whether they know
it or not they are concerned about His approaching death and His victory
over sin. But this woman surpassed them in devotion and in anticipating
that victory. Of course there came a time when no ointment was too
precious to measure the interest or express the devotion of these same
disciples.
Right after Mary’s act of devotion Matthew places Judas’ deed of
defection. Life is logical in its course and outcome. “Whatsoever a man
soweth that shall he also reap.” Faith in Christ is not the same as
doubt and denial, at the beginning, in its process, or at the end. The
two are radically different and this difference must appear at the end
if nowhere else. Extremes may meet but they are still extremes.
The devotion that anointed Jesus for his burial may have incited Judas
to betray him. He is indignant and must act and the nature of his act
was determined by his own character. “Then one of the twelve, who was
called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, ‘What are
ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’ And they
weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.”
Judas assumed the right to sell Jesus as Satan assumed the right to
bestow the world as a gift. The chief priests gladly act on the
assumption of Judas and Jesus was sold by the latter and purchased by
the former as though he were a slave. The bargain is satisfactory to
buyer and seller, the purchase price is paid and accepted and the
transaction is complete! If this contract takes any account of the
innocence of Jesus, his wonderful teaching and his miraculous ministry
it is as so many counts against him.
Men always throw the cloak of charity over their shoulders when they
propose to do an uncharitable thing. They will build the tombs of the
prophets who are dead while they arrange to betray God’s living leaders.
They take care of their reputation but neglect their character. They do
popular things which in no way commit them to the cause of Christ. But
men cannot remain indifferent to Christ. He literally compels decision,
and men must choose, their choice lying between sale and service, the
defection of Judas and the devotion of Mary. There is no resting place
between the two. The Christ leaves no room for doubt and indecision for
just as sure as he did he would not be the Christ.