[S] John 12:4-5 --
4But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?"
* denarii is equivalent to 11 moths' wage.
[O] Judas' question itself is perfectly a valid one, however as seen in verse 4, his motives are in question. Why did he ask this question when his heart had already left Jesus' ministry? Even before his heart leaving Jesus' ministry, he pilfered the funds which he managed and so perhaps another motivation was that if the perfume was sold for 11 months' wage, then he'd have more opportunity to pilfer that money for his own use. From this basis I can see how someone with an ulterior motive acts in the midst of ministry. They would shift the focus of ministry and efforts of participants away from worshiping Jesus to the very act of our own. So, either it will be a self-praising or a criticism (like in this case) of the acts themselves.
[A] Be on the alert for those who voices their opinions loudly as if they care about the ministry but shifts the focus of the people away from worshiping Jesus for who He is and what He will do through us despite our faulty plans and executions.
[P] Dear Jesus, I seek Your wisdom as I partake in Your ministry through the church and workplace ministry efforts because as I work with many people I would like to have insights to distinguish the "Judas" who on the surface says all the appropriate things but deep inside they incubate evil and destruction. I lean on You daily for this wisdom. In Your name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment