“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ‘’It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
As we see in every case where Jesus is attacked, his response is pitch perfect. He does not respond out of anger or out of fear. His perspective on the situation remains perfectly balanced. He knows who Judas is and what he will eventually do. (John 6: 70) So how does he respond?
”Leave her alone.”
The good shepherd protects his flock. This statement makes clear to Mary that what she is doing is appreciated and valued. It makes clear to Judas that he has crossed a line.
”It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.”
Jesus then goes two steps farther. He explains that what Mary is doing was actually ordained by God. He also prophesies about his pending death on the cross. The time of his burial is very near.
”You will always have the poor among you…”
This part of Jesus’ response to Judas has always intrigued me. (We could probably do a series of posts just on this one phrase!) With these eight words, Jesus encapsulates the human condition. Society will never be free of the poor. In saying this, Jesus also responds to Judas’ complaint: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” Honoring God is a proper use of money.
One might wonder if Judas gave all his money to the poor. John has already told us that Judas was a thief, so he is being disingenuous here. Jesus knows this, and yet responds to his question without accusing Judas of his ulterior motive.
Finally, Jesus tells them bluntly, ”…you will not always have me.”
No, you will not always have Jesus because Judas here is going to sell him out for thirty pieces of silver. And he will be turned over to the Romans and crucified. But then he will be raised from the grave (like Lazarus) in an eternal body. He will ascend into heaven so that he can intercede with the Father for us, and send his Holy Spirit to us.
Let’s Discuss: What can we learn from how Jesus responds in this situation?
I love how this discussion is framed to illustrate not only the breadth of what Jesus is addressing in his response but also as to the depths that he is driving; striking even at the heart of mankind’s ineradicable condition of the poor. Christ reaches far beyond a single moment in his scope but perfectly used this to then drive at the immediacy of what was at hand to which Mary was fulfilling. In the same breath he likewise points to future fulfillment with tremendous impact and yet this crazy scope does not fail to address what matters in that moment on so many levels (addressing Judas, reassuring Mary, even providing doctrine). I’ve always been amazed by this facet of his communicating. I personally see it as a manifestation of “…his voice as the sound of many waters.” as in Revelations 1:15 and throughout. So much is said with so little. The analogy of a perfect pitch response could not have been better. Thanks for sharing.
NMOP3PISdn
Thank you for sharing your thoughts this morning! You have a nice way with words. The comparison with Revelation 1: 15 is quite apt. Thank you!
I have often wished I had Jesus deftness and wisdom with words. I don’t react as well as when thrown into the conflict. A lot of this is I’m not particularly good at thinking quickly in the moment. Instead I have to resort to trying to respond in a balanced way while I think through the issue. It takes me time to respond more like Jesus.
Nathan,
Nice to hear from you! Jesus might have a slight edge over the rest of us in knowing how to respond to these situations. 🙂
Your advice to the rest of us – to take more time in responding – is very good.
Good comments here. One thing I see is the patience Jesus has with Judas. He could have laid into him and publicly exposed his motives and evil heart. While He does rebuke Judas, He does so with the intent of instructing Judas and others with what God desires from each of us. He used the situation to instruct us all on Kingdom principles.
Rich,
Great point! The love of God is incredible, extending even to those who work against Him! On the cross Jesus asks forgiveness for those mocking Him…