THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Iscariot was the leader in the harsh criti cism. The Iscariots usually are the leaders in criticising the acts of others. But the whole apostolic company was carried away by the bad spirit of Judas. Censorious criticism is more contagious than smallpox. Envy lay at the bottom of the criticism. It lies at the bottom of most criticism. They could not understand Mary’s act; not because it was below them, but because it was above them. Mary was soon to have sufficient compensation for the criticism of the disciples in the approval of the Master. The disciples regarded the using of the exceeding precious ointment to honor Jesus with, as s. “waste” (cf. Matt. 26:8). That speaks poorly for their love for Jesus and their estimation of Him. But there are always those who think money spent on Jesus wasted. In this case, to save their own consciences they suggested the poor as those to whom the money could have been given. There are always plenty who never give their own money, but are will ing to criticise others for not giving theirs, especially if it is used for the glory of the Lord Jesus. But on the part of Judas Iscariot it was really not consideration for the poor, but consideration of his own pock- etbook that led to the suggestion, for he was the church treasurer and carried the money and applied to his own needs what was put in the bag. Such church treas urers are rare, but alas! there have been others beside Judas. Friday, July 7 . John 12 : 7 - 11 . Jesus praised where His disciples criti cised. He told the critics that they had the poor always with them and “whensoever they willed” (Mark 14:7) they could do them good. There was a prick in the “whensoever ye will,” for their consciences. He told them further that what was to be done for Him must be done at once because they were not to have Him with them always.' So today, whatsoever we are to do for Him we must do immediately, for the time is fast drawing nigh when we shall no longer have the opportunity. Upon
there, He came back to Cana to quicken and nourish and strengthen that faith (ch. 4:54). Just so bfere Jesus comes back to Bethany for a similar purpose. It was not the method of Jesus to awaken faith and then leave, it to languish and die. But the principal purpose of this visit was com munion with Martha and Mary and Laz arus. Jesus Christ, while He was “very God of very God” was also a real man who was in every respect our brother. The way in which Bethany is spoken of in the first verse is worthy of note, “where Laz arus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.” Bethany was a little village, but it had a title of dignity that few cities pos sessed : there was a resurrected man there. There was no one else at that gathering who brought such joy to the aching heart of Jesus as did Mary: she above a'll others during His earthly life had listened to Him, understood Him, believed Him, and loved Him. Out of the wealth of her love she had purchased at a cost of fifty-one dollars (a large sum in those days, indeed her whole treasure) an alabastar cruse of oint ment and put it aside to use upon Him when the proper moment came. She had understood what none of the rest had, that He must actually die and be buried (v. 7). It is evident that she had not sat at His feet in vain (cf. Luke 10:29). Mary had not Stopped to calculate the cost of the ointment and whether she had better save part of the money for future needs. Love never calculates, it gives all. Mary’s uncal culating love of Jesus proved a safer guide of conduct than the calculating prudence of Judas and the rest of the disciples (Mark 26:8). We are told that the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the oint ment that Mary poured upon the feet of Jesus, but the whole world has been filled with the fragrance of her, act of love and faith. Thursday, July 6 . John~l 2 : 4 - 6 . Mary’s beautiful act of love was looked upon with suspicion and some very wise criticisms were made upon it. Judas
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