#1505 John 12 Part 1 Smells Like Money

 

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a litra of perfume of very costly 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was going to betray Him, *said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 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 take from what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

9 Then the large crowd from the Jews learned that He was there. And they came, not because of Jesus only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. John 12: 1-11 LSB

John 12: 1-11 Fake Concern

V. 1 Six days before the Passover - This is what Jesus came for, not to participate in but to be, which is the fullness of what every Passover pointed to. 

More on Passover

Spurgeon notes that "It was in the house of Simon the Leper; a near acquaintance, perhaps a relative of this beloved family, for we find that Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. The two families had coalesced for this festival, and well they might, for one case someone had been healed of leprosy, and in the other case Lazarus had been raised from the dead. It was a holy, happy feast."

Whom Jesus had raised (egeiro) from the dead (nekros) - Lazarus was undoubtedly the "talk of the town," or as we might say to day one with "celebrity status." And so John rightly reemphasizes the resurrection of Lazarus. - Precept Austin

V. 2 Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him - Jesus has declared that He is the resurrection and the life, then backed the claim by raising this same Lazarus from the dead. He is a living proof, for Christ has also made the claim that He will give the sign of Jonah, that He will be crucified, buried and raised on the third day. 

So they made Him a supper (deipnon) there, and Martha was serving (diakoneo) - Supper (deipnon) refers to the main meal of the day which was most often held in the evening and is the same word used later of the Last Supper (John 13:2, 4; 21:20). Martha, true to her form described in Lk 10:38-42+, was serving (diakoneo), a word that can mean waiting on tables and in the imperfect tense pictures her shuffling back and forth between the kitchen and the dining table. John Calvin said that "The highest honour in the church is not government but service. (and added)...We shall never be fit for the service of God if we look not beyond this fleeting life. Vance Havner adds "There are no trivial assignments in the work of the Lord." Henrietta Mears says "Serving God with our little is the way to make it more; and we must never think that wasted with which God is honoured or men are blessed."

MacArthur - That John describes Lazarus as one of the guests reclining at the table with Jesus suggests that the feast was not in his and his sisters' home. Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 make more than a suggestion, stating specifically that the meal was held in the house of Simon the leper....Although it tends to be overshadowed by Mary's dramatic act of worship, Martha's humble service on this occasion was no less commendable and pleasing to the Lord. (See John Commentary) - Precept Austin

V. 3  Mary then took a litra of perfume - Some record that nard came from India, and that this quantity would have been equivalent to a years pay for a common laborer back then. Others note that this was probably her most valuable possession, reserved for her dowry, and that she did not use this to anoint her brother at his burial, but lavishly gives this to her savior. I think she is the same woman recorded in Matthew, but John is more free with the names, given that they have passed on from any danger. Those who realize they have been forgiven much love the most extravagantly.  

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?… Matthew 26: 6-8

V. 4-5 But Judas Iscariot - Judas valued it at at least 300 denarii, now there's a man who knew of the finer things. I think Judas spent much time in studying the material, wishing for wealth, for power, privilege. 

…9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.… 1 Timothy 6: 9-11

V. 6 Not because he was concerned about the poor - John doesn't spare the trader, don't be deceived by what he says, for that's a lie and he is a thief. Judas, like so many politicians, points out someone who has, whether they have been born into wealth, accumulated it through enterprise and wise investment, or tripped over it in the lottery, the point is they are now the haves. Judas, just like them, says, "couldn't this have been sold and used more wisely to feed the poor?"  In our day he would say, "tax the rich", while wearing a 15 thousand dollar outfit made by someone overcharging for such things, someone who was also, what do you call that? Oh yea, rich. They will come to your house and tell you, "vote for this person and we will be able to redistribute the wealth that they acquired, just vote." Like Judas they are just mapping out a way for them to get the things that they see others with and want for themselves. They want to live lavishly too, so they play on your heartstrings and you follow them over the ledge. It works because it appeals to your base appetites, to greed, but you're not greedy, the lady washing Jesus' feet is, right?

…19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. 21For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.… 2 Corinthians 8: 19-21

V. 8 You always have the poor with you - This is a rebuke of the thief, the poor are always around, is that really your concern, or only when you see something valuable. What did BLM do with the money they wanted? Bought big houses and went bankrupt, just like the Judas's they were. They sold a false history, wanted reparations from people who have never owned slaves, but in the end they were only in it for the love of money, the envy of other people's possessions. Man, I hope my kids can learn this, don't worry about what other people have or get paid. If you agree to a price then be happy with that and move on. If someone else does well then be happy for them. If you think someone is overcharging then go find someone else. When you help the poor make sure you are actually helping them and not just throwing fuel on the flame. I used to be a drug addict, so when people gave me money thinking they were helping, sometimes I overdosed and came very close to losing my life with their help. Be good stewards. Look at the Biblical balance of this.

…10Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand. 11For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15: 10-11

…9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” 11Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.… 2 Thessalonians 3: 9-11

V. 9 That they might also see Lazarus - Lazarus was a huge draw, along with Jesus' other miracles, healings and teaching. Come see the guy that was so dead that he stunk of it. This would cause quite a stir, but not belief and repentance in all. 

…30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16: 30-31

V. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also - Wow, what a wicked bunch. They are materialist, and they reflect the attitude of Judas above. They want power, and if Christ would have come and recognized them the way they see themselves, as moral, upstanding and deserving, they wouldn't be having these problems with Him. They are wealthy men, have learned to work the system, are getting kick backs from everyone. In their minds they are free men even though they live under Roman rule, but Rome has given these traitors enough to not only satiate them, but it is big enough in their hearts that they want to protect their positions even at the cost of Lazarus's life. They are willing to kill to preserve their way of life. They rob widows, abuse orphans, sit in the seats of judgment, and like Eli's sons steal the fat of the offering and overcharge everybody that they can. Lazarus is a thorn in their side, a reminder of just how special Jesus is, and Lazarus is their strongest warning from God as yet. There is a great falling away in every age, and you can see it in our time as well. There are people who will embrace a form of morality when all else fails, but they still refuse God's Lordship. They want to come to terms with the world in a way that they can keep their material comforts, for them the greatest sin is to not have. 

…2It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow. 3This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead. 4There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.… Ecclesiastes 9: 2-4

…21He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes. 22But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.… Daniel 5: 21-23

V. 11 Many Jews were going away and believing in Jesus - Lazarus testimony was hurting their bottom line. Jews were leaving a broken Judaism to become followers of Christ. This is as it should be, His sheep hear his voice and they follow Him. He is the promise and the covenant held by the Jewish peoples, the Seed of the woman, the Lion of Judah, the Scarlet Thread, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. Now they don't just want Jesus, but Lazarus too. Have you ever know someone like this, they say a thing and it gets proven wrong, but they act unfazed. They will stick with their story, telling it over and over again; the truth will not get in their way. When faced with facts that contradict them they just dig their heels in deeper. This has gotten so bad for them that they can't just raise their voice over those of others, and people are leaving their flock, Jesus has disturbed their turf. This is a blinding hatred, and truth is now the enemy, so they think killing will remove it like it didn't happen. 

…14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.… James 3: 14-16