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 17 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. 18 “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 19 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.
