What’s your motivation?

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. JOHN 12:4-6

In yesterday's post, we saw Mary, Martha, and Lazarus serving Jesus with all their heart. They wanted to give their best to Him, which is evident in how they serve Him. Mary even goes as far as pouring expensive ointment on Jesus' feet as an act of worship. They did not seek anything from Him but only wanted to express their love and devotion.

Contrasting to them, we see in today's text Judas Iscariot criticizing Mary for wasting the expensive ointment on Jesus instead of using it to help the poor. Judas criticizes not because he cares about the poor but because he wants to help himself from the moneybag for which he is responsible. He had selfish motives, and his interest was not in serving Jesus but in himself.

These two different attitudes demonstrate our two approaches toward Jesus - to give or to receive. The example of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus teaches us to come with a heart of worship, be willing to sacrifice and surrender everything to Him. On the other hand, Judas' example reveals our fallen condition of always wanting something from Jesus.

How have you been approaching Jesus lately? As we reflect on today's text, let us turn our focus from ourselves and direct it towards Jesus as we seek to surrender all to Him in worship.