LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL

By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Thursday 26th March 2026

JUDAS’ ATTITUDE

Scripture Reading: John 12
 
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the money box, and he used to take what was put in it. John 12:4–6
 
Mary had just carried out a remarkable act; she had expressed her gratitude to Jesus in a very generous and extravagant way. Mary poured her expensive oil on Jesus in gratitude for all He had done for her and her family.
 
However, not everybody was happy with her actions. You would think that people would see Mary’s action as a noble gesture; and if anyone were to criticise what she had done, it would be the Scribes, Pharisees or even the Sadducees. However, in a surprising twist, John tells us that one of Jesus’ close disciples, Judas Iscariot, was incensed by Mary’s action.
 
Judas was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was also the treasurer for Jesus and His team. Part of Judas’ role was the safekeeping and disbursement of money that people gave to support the ministry of Jesus.
 
Judas objected. He felt the fragrant oil would have served a better purpose if it had been sold and the money kept in the treasury for disbursement. On the face of it, Judas had a point. He knew that the ministry of Jesus was committed to the poor. The fragrant oil was worth a worker’s annual wages. Logically, such an amount could do a lot of good for the poor.
 
The gospel writer opened a little window for us to see beyond the words of Judas. He gave us a peek into Judas’ motives. He didn’t care for the poor after all. He was only using the moral case of the poor for his selfish ends. Judas was a thief. He used to pilfer from the ministry coffers.
 
This passage shows that sometimes, people take up supposed good causes for their own benefit. It also introduces us to the reason why Judas would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Money was Judas’ driving force. His pleas for the poor were only a mask for his greed and selfishness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, protect me from greed and selfishness. Help me to see what is important to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.