Keeping In Step

Fergus Buchanan June 16, 2025 0 0

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John 12: 1-11 (NIVUK)

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about half a litre 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.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ 6 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.

7 ‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.’

9 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. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

The thing about Judas is that until the final days of Jesus’ life he was one of the boys.  Jesus sent his disciples on missions in which they followed His command to preach the Word and to heal those who were sick or disturbed. There is no indication that Judas was exempt from or incapable of any of these activities. Also, when Jesus’ disciples are listed it is noted that he would betray Jesus but that was not known in these early days of the apostle’s missionary activity. Add to this that Judas was the ‘keeper of the money bag’ and therefore at one time must have been regarded as trustworthy and honest. But the dark will out. When Judas objected to Mary’s lavish outpouring of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, he raised the issue of the poor and how they would have benefitted if the perfume had been sold and the money given to the poor. But John tells us: ‘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.’ 

Judas’ concern was a mask. From then on things get worse until his final betrayal of Jesus. It is interesting that when Judas left the table at Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, the others took it for granted that his intention was to buy supplies for them or ‘to give something to the poor’. There was no inkling of what Judas was about to do.

So what happened with Judas? Many are the theories that try to explain his betrayal.  Sermons have even been preached in his defense. John, however, is quite straightforward in his explanation: ‘Satan entered into him.’ (13: 27). This is deep water. Whatever we may feel about this there is no doubt that the apostles believed in dark spiritual powers that can influence thought and behaviour. Paul speaks of the battle in the human soul between the Spirit and the ‘flesh’, our weak and flawed human nature. He counsels that we ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ and maintain our Christian integrity.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

There are many spiritual influences that might lead us away from You and leave us opposed to you. So, keep us faithful in worship; help us to reflect constantly on your Word; enable us to keep company with You in prayer; keep us focused on the priorities of discipleship. Amen.