Judas Iscariot (Part 2)

Our Actions Give Away Our Character

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:1-6; cf. Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). This is not to be confused with Luke 7:36ff. The account of Luke’s is that of a woman of ill report while these other three are of a woman of high spiritual qualities. While these are similar they are quite different.

Six days before the Passover Jesus and His disciples are sitting at the house of Simon the Leper (Matt. 26:6; Mark 13:3). Martha comes to Jesus with this perfumed oil and anoints His feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. Ither accounts point to the disciples murmuring against this woman’s gift (Matt. 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5). John’s account gives us the instigator who planted this thought in the other apostle’s minds (John 12:4-5).

At first glance it may seem that that he is making a somewhat honorable statement. This could have been sold for 300 pence and given to those who are in need. Granted, Jesus mentioned that her doing this was good because it was done in preparation for His death. Still, it seems that Judas meant well in his statement and was thinking of those who were poor.

Inspiration tells of the true reason that he brought this us. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” (John 12:6). Judas was not concerned with the poor. As the treasurer, he was the one who carried the money and divvied it out as was needed. John states that Judas also stole from the treasury. He was a “thief.” Why did he feel so strongly about what had been done? He wanted to have his hands on the money which it was all worth.  Keep in mind this was not known by the apostles at this moment but afterwards. Judas showed his true character in his complaint towards this woman’s actions.

Sometimes our statements can show our true selves. This author once heard of a preacher who constantly harped on certain subjects. He constantly preached on the subject of adultery, fornication, and things of that nature. It was later found out that he had an affair with another woman. Any Christian can be guilty of this. Be warned that if an individual is not living a godly life it will eventually be found out. It may not occur within a day, two days, or even years from that time. It will eventually be found out (Numbers 32:23; Josh. 7).