Nougat 3

Have you noticed the drama and the irony in the Bible? In today’s Holy Nougat we see the juxtaposition of Judas and the unnamed woman. If you can, read the longer text.

“She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭12‬, ‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Some scholars believe that the perfume cost approximately 300 denarii, or the equivalent of a year’s wages (a few say it’s a day’s wage, but that’s not really very expensive). Most of us get caught up in the later drama and miss the true impact of the woman’s action – for 300 denarii she’s spiced Jesus Christ, as He will have died and resurrected Himself before any other cold get to His body.

As a not necessarily nameless woman, she set the bar for sacrificial offerings to God – a broken and contrite spirit manifested by worship and honoring Jesus. Sisters – are we ready to gift Jesus our all? It’s not too late for us to switch lanes.

When this burial ritual was completed, it created foment. Real Trini-style comesh I tell you. Some were offended that a woman invaded their sacred men-space; others were literally mortified that she brought death rituals in the space of the living – and God forbid that it was the house of a Pharisee; and the likes of Judas could only see the’l ‘waste’ of money. Or maybe all three. For he surely missed the big picture.

Judas’ offense was sharp and intense. As the woman action was healing her, as well as Jesus body, Judas was dismembered from the body. Though physically present, he was seeking to punish Jesus’ seeming stupidity by any means necessary. And he found his solution for a profit: 30 pieces of silver! I am not sure of the conversion rate, it seems to be four months’ wages, but on the surface it would seem that Judas received a tithe of the woman’s sacrifice for his betrayal of Jesus! It’s probably even worse to consider as one third. For, while Jesus wasn’t ‘worth’ a year’s wages, he himself was worth being paid four months’ wages for merely identifying Him! Is it really about financial gain or the state of hearts?

Siblings, what are our actions saying to others that Jesus is worth, and what does it say we think about Jesus? What else do you notice in the drama?

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May all we seek be found in Christ