4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
this caught my attention. the rest of the story is fairly familiar, and its corroborated in the other gospels...but this is the first time I've read this.
Judas was the keeper of the money for Jesus and the disciples. I suppose that meant that he was the one that secured food and lodging for them. He would probably be sent out on his own to take care of things like that. In the end, it was his greed that betrayed Jesus. It shows the power of money and the desire for wealth and what it can do to the human heart. Here is a guy who is living everyday with Jesus...seeing all th wonderful things he does. Hearing him first hand, his new perspective, how to sucessfully have a relationship with the father.....and all he can focus on is the money bag!
ouch!
yeah, its a little scary to think that somone so close to Jesus could still be so heavily influenced by money. Its not an excuse for us, but its no wonder we have struggles and is a reason we have to be even more focused on getting into the word and close to Jesus through prayer to protect us from our sinful ways.
ReplyDelete10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Similar deal here, so it seems they openly admit Lazarus was raised from the dead. Rather than believing in Jesus they want to block others from becoming believers? Why again? Isn't Jesus who they are waiting for according to the words they study?
knut