Just days before the crucifixion, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with a very costly ointment.
Some of the disciples were filled with indignation at this waste. Judas Iscariot, the appointed treasurer, was so bothered by this “misappropriation” of funds that he spoke up. He claimed the oil could have been sold and that the money could have been given to help the poor. Yet, he did not care for the poor at all. You see, Judas was a thief.
Here we find a problem common to us all, the thief calling another a thief. A liar accusing another of lying. A sinner exclaiming with great indignation that a sister in Christ is committing a sin!
So often the response to our own guilt is blame. Unconfessed sin from the past or present can cause us to get all bent out of shape and go on a warpath against those who appear to be committing the same offense. When condemning others we are certainly at a loss of good judgment.
Romans 2 has some interesting insight concerning this common, erroneous condition of man:
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Romans 2:1
We accuse others while excusing ourselves. This is what Judas was doing in John 12.
We are also told in Romans 2 that the law will judge us.
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Romans 2:12
Even our own hearts will condemn us.
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 2:15
Our flesh tells us to accuse, condemn and excuse.
I must confess that I have experienced these “bent out of shape” moments many times in my flesh. The desire to accuse others while excusing the same thoughts, attitudes and actions in my own life have been a struggle. In my mind someone is committing the worst sin ever and I need to step in, expose the sin and put a stop to it. Have you also, found yourself there?
Yet we find that Jesus never exposed Judas. Judas’ own sin exposed his greedy heart. His own heart condemned him. He perished by the law he had been taught growing up as a Jewish child and he perished by the law that was written in his heart.
Thankfully, it is by the precious law of God that we understand and realize we are a sinner in need of a Savior.
It is in Christ alone that we are set free from this condemnation. As we grow in Christ, we can graciously be set free from the fleshly desire to condemn others.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
Judas manifested a loss of good judgment by condemning Mary all the while Mary found a loss of condemnation in Christ. Judas never found this freedom from condemnation, but Mary found it. And certainly we can, too!
Loser Bible Study Series Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated shall in Romans 2:12, our verse for today.
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