"The Sad Story of Judas"
From The Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White
adapted by Gary L. Clendenon, May/June, 2020
(All Bible quotations from the NIV, unless otherwise stated)
“The Redeemer does not want to lose one soul; His experience with Judas is recorded to show His long patience with perverse human nature.”
(Christ Object Lessons, p. 74)
Chapter 2: “The Last Straw!”
Jesus and His friends were invited to Simon's feast. At the table the Savior sat with Simon, whom He had cured of a loathsome disease, on one side, and Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, on the other. Martha served at the table, but Mary was earnestly listening to every word from the lips of Jesus. In His mercy, Jesus had pardoned her sins, He had called forth her beloved brother from the grave, and Mary's heart was filled with gratitude. She had heard Jesus speak of His approaching death, and in her deep love and sorrow she had longed to show Him honor. At great personal sacrifice she had purchased “an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume” with which to anoint His body (Mark 14:3). But now many were declaring that He was about to be crowned king. Her grief was turned to joy, and she was eager to be first in honoring her Lord. Breaking her box of ointment, she poured its contents upon the head and feet of Jesus; then, as she knelt weeping, moistening them with her tears, she wiped His feet with her long, flowing hair.
Mary had sought to avoid observation, and her movements might have passed unnoticed, but the ointment filled the room with its fragrance, and published her act to all present. Judas looked upon this act with great displeasure. Instead of waiting to hear what Christ would say of the matter, he began to whisper his complaints to those near him, throwing dishonor upon Christ for tolerating such waste. Craftily he made suggestions that would be likely to cause disillusionment.
Judas was treasurer for the disciples, and from their little store he had secretly drawn for his own use, thus narrowing down their resources to next to nothing. He was eager to put into the bag all that he could obtain. The treasure in the bag was often drawn upon to relieve the poor; and when something that Judas did not think essential was bought, he would say, “Why this waste? Why was not the cost of this put into the bag that I carry for the poor?”
Now the act of Mary was in such marked contrast to his selfishness that Judas was put to shame; and according to his custom, he sought to assign a worthy motive for his objection to her gift. Turning to the disciples, he asked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (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). (John 12:5-6) Judas had no heart for the poor. Had Mary's ointment been sold, and the proceeds fallen into his possession, the poor would have received no benefit.
Judas had a high opinion of his own executive ability. As a financier he thought himself greatly superior to his fellow disciples, and he had led them to regard him in the same light. He had gained their confidence, and had a strong influence over them. His professed sympathy for the poor deceived them, and his artful insinuation caused them to look distrustfully upon Mary's devotion. The murmur passed round the table, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matthew 26:8-9)
Mary heard the words of criticism. Her heart trembled within her. She feared that her sister would reproach her for extravagance. The Master, too, might think her wasteful. Without apology or excuse she was about to shrink away, when the voice of her Lord was heard, “Leave her alone.” Jesus saw that she was embarrassed and distressed. He knew that in this act of service she had expressed her gratitude for the forgiveness of her sins, and He brought relief to her mind. Lifting His voice above the murmur of criticism, He said, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:6-10)
Kingdoms would rise and fall; the names of monarchs and conquerors would be forgotten; but this woman's deed would be immortalized upon the pages of sacred history. Until time should be no more, that broken alabaster box would tell the story of the abundant love of God for a fallen race.
Mary did not know the full significance of her deed of love. She could not answer her accusers. She could not explain why she had chosen that occasion for anointing Jesus. The Holy Spirit had planned for her, and she had obeyed His promptings. Inspiration stoops to give no reason. An unseen presence, it speaks to mind and soul, and moves the heart to action. It is its own justification.
Mary's act was in marked contrast with that which Judas was about to do. What a sharp lesson Christ might have given Judas who had dropped the seed of criticism and evil thinking into the minds of the disciples! How justly the accuser might have been accused! He who reads the motives of every heart, and understands every action, might have opened before those at the feast dark chapters in the experience of Judas. The hollow pretense on which the traitor based his words might have been laid bare; for, instead of sympathizing with the poor, he was robbing them of the money intended for their relief. Indignation might have been excited against him for his oppression of the widow, the orphan, and the hired hands. But had Christ unmasked Judas, this would have been urged as a reason for the betrayal. And though charged with being a thief, Judas would have gained sympathy, even among the disciples. The Savior reproached him not, and thus avoided giving him an excuse for his treachery.
But the look which Jesus cast upon him convinced Judas that the Savior penetrated his hypocrisy, and read his base, contemptible character. And in commending Mary's action, which had been so severely condemned, Christ had rebuked Judas. Prior to this, the Savior had never given him a direct rebuke. Now the reproof festered in his heart. He determined to be revenged. From the supper he went directly to the palace of the high priest, where he found the council assembled, and he offered to betray Jesus into their hands.
Judas had indulged greed until it overpowered every good trait of his character. He resented the offering made to Jesus. His heart burned with envy that the Savior should be the recipient of a gift suitable for the monarchs of the earth. For a sum far less than the box of ointment cost, he betrayed his Lord.
Source: Desire of Ages, pages 558-64.
