Jesus Protects Mary from Judas
Let’s continue our theme to deeply internalize Jesus’ protection. Consider the time where Jesus eats dinner at Simon the Leper’s house with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead sometime before this visit. (This visit is different from the one where Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha is working.) In just 6 days Jesus will enter Jerusalem for the final time.
John 12:1-11 says that they were reclining at the table after a meal. Mary takes her inheritance, a bottle of oil or perfume costing a year’s wages, and breaks it open and pours the oil on Jesus’ head and feet. She then wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair. Strangely Judas “reacts” wildly to this act of vulnerable abandonment and love for Jesus. He attacks but uses “religious pretext” to shield his real motives. “Why was this perfume wasted? Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” The other disciples join in: “And they rebuked her harshly” (Mk 14:5) Judas doesn’t care for the poor at all. Judas attacks Mary because he loves (lusts for) money just as the Pharisees did. The text says this in verse John 12:6. Judas sees this act of kindness to Jesus as a “waste.” (Remember Jesus gets “tired” and weary like we do – John 4:6) Think of the multitude of people that Jesus “refreshed” – those He healed, or had compassion on or helped in some way. Wouldn’t you want to help someone like Jesus or be kind to Him? Judas is furious and angry that Mary “wastes” this money on Jesus. Judas doesn’t value Jesus in comparison to money. (In John 6:70 Jesus indicated that He knew that one of his disciples was “a devil.”)
Can you imagine this scene? Mary has extravagantly revealed her insides! She is radially vulnerable. Through the Holy Spirit she adores Jesus with everything she has… money, body (hair) and soul. Right in the middle of raw naked spirituality the Devil attacks through Judas! Jesus instantly puts His foot down and protects Mary’s heart. “Why are you bothering this woman?” Jesus continues, “She has done a beautiful thing to Me.”
In fact, Jesus goes even further to validate and protect Mary. He establishes a memorial for Mary for all time. “What she has done will be remembered for all time!” Not only does the Master rebuke Judas in the moment but also for all time! Jesus truly protects Mary’s heart and most inner self! What the Holy Spirit is growing in Mary, (devotion and intimacy towards Jesus) Jesus Himself protects! Mary is bearing the Fruit of the Spirit in terms of love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and meekness (a few fruit of Galatians 5:22). Jesus will protect that fruit and that person!
Strangely, Judas goes out of the house “right after” Mary’s display of devotion to Jesus (Matt 26:14 & Mk 14:10) and finds the Pharisees and actually forms a plan to betray Jesus! Seeing Mary’s adoration of Jesus throws him over the edge in rage or anger or jealousy. Judas reveals his hidden contempt for Jesus. But Jesus relates to Judas as a friend, up to the very end (Matt 26:49-50).
Take Away:
God Is Just Like Jesus
“If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus’ protection in time and space with real people reveals the Father’s protection in time and space for us. Review your Journals or think about times in your past and try to identify times that God has protected you. Use the different ways we have seen Jesus protect people and ask the Holy Spirit to show you times the Father has protected you! Ask for that Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding that Paul talks about in Ephesians 1:17 (Paul probably references Isaiah 11:2b)
1st Commandment Prayer:
Jesus I love the way you put your foot down on Judas’ accusation of Mary’s heart! I would have hated it if Judas had won. It would have been terrible if Judas made Mary feel shame regarding her love for You! I love the fact you even setup a timeless memorial to her to establish your pleasure in her devotion! And I love the fact that Mary wasn’t perfect – no one is! But you praise us and honor us just the same! (I Cor 4:5)
This Week’s Text: John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.