False Concern for the Poor

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
Jesus Ushers in the Reign of God
Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor

John 12:1-8

The Message

Anointing His Feet

12 ^1-3 Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.

^4-6 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.
^7-8 Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.”

For Reflection

There will always be the poor.  There will always be pretenders to the Way.  In this case, Judas represents all of those who would use reference to a false compassion for the poor to further one's own agenda.  How many times have the poor been subject to a false promise, gratuitous conditional help, or the object of ridicule and pity when it is convenient to use them?  It is possible that so many of us need to keep the poor poor so that we, in contrast, can maintain a false sense of righteousness?  Are there unintended consequences of programs for the poor?  Yes, but why deny the poor because we are too lazy or lack the courage to tackle the hard questions?

Pray

Pray for compassion strong enough for you to respond to those in need.  Pray for courage to act on your sense of compassion.  Pray for the governments of the world to act compassionately to provide economic and social justice for all.