Articles
Examining Our Motives: Mary And Judas
Nard, the fragrant oil extracted from the spikes of the nard plant, was used in perfumes, medicines, and in religious ceremonies. Imported from India, a single pound was worth three hundred denarii, nearly a year’s wages for a common laborer. This precious oil reached the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, where Mary used it to anoint the feet of Jesus.
John recounts, “Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). Nard was often mixed with other spices, but the perfume Mary used was described as pure—it was genuine. John also noted how Mary wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. Leon Morris comments, “...the use of the hair rather than a towel or the like may also indicate something of personal involvement. The act is all the more striking in that a Jewish lady never unbound her hair in public.” This scene powerfully illustrates the profound depth of Mary’s love, compassion, and devotion to her Lord.
In stark contrast, Judas Iscariot, did not perceive Mary’s profound and costly act as one of devotion. John wrote, “But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?’ Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it” (John 12:4-6). Mary’s act of anointing the feet of Jesus was one of compassion and devotion. Driven by greed, Judas feigned compassion. His concern for what was fleeting blinded him to the eternal King who was in his presence. This serves as a warning: even those closest to Christ can be deceived and blinded by the allure of the world.
Are we compassionate or do we want to appear to be compassionate? The contrast between Mary and Judas forces us to examine our motives. Mary was driven to act because she loved Jesus. She was not concerned with being seen by others. Rather, she humbled herself before Jesus. Her focus was on the King. Judas, however, was focused on self. He pretended to be concerned for the poor while hiding his true motives. Which example do we follow?
The contrast between Mary and Judas highlights two agendas. One agenda is focused on service, compassion, humility, and love; the other, on self, gain, and fleeting satisfaction. Does it matter which agenda we follow? Absolutely! Jesus knows our agendas and the true motives of our hearts. Knowing this, let us examine our motives and seek to follow Mary’s example by serving our King and others with compassion, humility, and love.
