John 12:3-8 - Homilies By B. Thomas

The immortal box of ointment.

We have here—

I. THE OFFERING OF LOVE . "Then took Mary," etc.

1. This offering of love is made to its Object . Jesus was the Object of Mary's supreme love, and him she now anoints. We may look at her act as:

2. This offering of love somewhat corresponds with the love it expresses . Think of this ointment, the offering of Mary's love.

3. This offering of love was made in a very suitable and interesting manner .

II. THE OBJECTION OF AVARICE .

1. It came from an unexpected quarter . "Then saith one of his disciples," etc. One would think that any token of love to the Master would be hailed by the disciples with satisfaction and joy; but it was not so. It came from one of them, but our surprise is lessened when we are told that this disciple was no other than the betrayer.

2. It was most indignant .

3. It was most plausible .

4. It was most false and selfish . "This he said, not," etc. The objection in itself is natural, but as coming from Judas it was most selfish and insincere. When he said the poor he really meant himself. In this fair garb of philanthropy lurked the vile demon of sordid gain and selfish avarice. It is one of the mysteries of iniquity that it can speak the language of holiness. Avarice can utter the sentiments of benevolence. "All is not gold that glitters." Judas valued the ointment more highly than he valued his Master. The former he would not sell under three hundred pence, but sold the latter for thirty pieces of silver. His nature was miserably false and selfish. This act of love ripened and revealed his character. The loss of the ointment hurried him to sell his Master. Thus we have the stench of avarice in the same room as the perfume of love.

III. THE DEFENCE OF JESUS . "Then said Jesus," etc. This defense is addressed, not to Judas but to the other disciples. Jesus could now scarcely hope to extinguish the fire which was raging in Judas's soul, but could stop it from damaging other premises. In his defense:

1. A sound advice is given . "Let her alone." There is implied here:

2. Love ' s offering is explained .

(a) In any act of kindness to him the poor were recognized. Who was poorer than he? And yet he was the poor man's Friend. When love pours the ointment on him, it shall return to them with interest. Whatever is done to the poor, Jesus counts as done to him; would not they willingly now return the compliment?

(b) Opportunities to serve the poor were many and permanent. "The poor ye have always," etc.

(c) Opportunities to honor Jesus personally were few and brief. He was a Pilgrim in the land, only just passed by. Any act of personal kindness to him must be done at once or never.

(d) When the claims of the poor come into collision with those of Jesus, the former must give way. While their claims are fully admitted, his are supreme. They are to be ever helped, but he is to be anointed King of the heart and enthroned in the affections. The claims of the poor and these of Jesus can never come into collision but by the cunning opposition of avarice, or the thoughtless blunders of friendship.

LESSONS .

1. No genuine offering of love to Christ can be a waste . It was not so in this case. To Mary it was a most delightful exercise; to the disciples a most important lesson; to Christ a most gratifying deed; to the world a most beneficial teaching. It was only waste to him who was the son of waste.

2. Those who manifest self-sacrificing love to Christ must ever expect opposition . Opposition even from quarters they would least expect. There is a Judas in most societies, and avarice is eternally opposed to benevolence, and selfishness to love.

3. Any objection to the offerings of love, however plausible, should ever be regarded with suspicion . Avarice can often argue better than benevolence. Benevolence is often too timid to defend itself, but is bold enough to break the box of ointment. Let it do this, and Jesus will ultimately and successfully defend it. The offerings of love are more than a match for all the objections of avarice; the latter petrify, and are increasingly obnoxious; while the former are increasingly odorous and sweet—they fill the house and the soul of Jesus with their sweet odor. Avarice never yet found an object worthy of its generosity. It is ever shifting. An offering which has the preponderating appearance of love, listen to no objection against it. If you cannot heartily commend, let it alone.

4. We can well afford the objection of others if we have the approval of Jesus . What need had they to care after Jesus said, "Let her alone," etc.?

5. Those who are in responsible positions should be on their guard . Office tests, forms, and reveals character. The "bag" is a tree of life or death to all who have to do with it. How many can trace their ruin to a bag? Judas can do so. He began to take what was in it; little thinking that what he took from the bag was small compared with what the bag took from him—took his soul. The bag was the greatest thief; but Judas was the responsible one.

6. Rather than be too hard upon Judas, let us humbly and prayerfully examine ourselves . We are also men. The most courteous opponent Judas ever met was Jesus. Instead of meeting his selfish objection in the scathing language it justly deserved, he met it with peculiar mildness. Judas has suffered most from himself and his family. The celebrated Judas of history has been a scapegoat for many modern ones. Their denunciations of him have been only a cover to do the same, and something even worse.—B.T.