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AUTHOR: Nelson Silva
PRESENTER: John Mathews
John, the beloved disciple, contrasts two individuals in one story. Both labeled themselves as followers of Christ, and both witnessed Christ’s miracles and forgiveness. However, each took a different path.
Mary was forgiven. “Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind” (DA, 568). Mary witnessed the resurrection of her brother, Lazarus, and subsequently heard Jesus’s announcement of His death. Her heart was full of gratitude for what Jesus had done for her, and she wanted to do something special for Him.
On the other hand, Judas was attracted to Jesus’s preaching, teaching, and miracles. Judas, like the other disciples, came with baggage. Peter was impetuous, Mathew had an honesty problem, and John was a poor financier. Judas, however, regarded himself as quite capable (DA, 717).
“Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair” while Judas complained, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:3, 5). While Mary spent a year’s wages to prepare Jesus for His death and burial, Judas sold Jesus for a third of that amount.
Jesus said that it is impossible to serve God and money. Judas chose money. Many others have also chosen money (John Stott, The Cross of Christ, 66).
Who will you chose to imitate today? Your generous offerings will allow the conference to invest in advancing God’s kingdom where we live.
2016-03-26