The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 162

unpardonable offence w11s the whole affair I The objection is most plausible, and worthy of a benevolent philanthropist. We are not surprised that it moved the other innocent disciples into indignation, and emboldened the traitor to make it with confidence of beiag justified ia the eyes of his Master. 4. It was most false and selfish. "This he said, not," etc .. The objection in itself is natural, but as coming from Judas it was most selfish and insincere. When be said the poor he really meant himself. In this fair gnrb of philanthropy lurked the vile demon of sordid gain and sel6sh avarice. It is one of the mysteries of iniquity that it can speak the language of holiness. Avarice can uttor the sentiments of benevoleace. "All is not gold that glitters." Judas valued the ointment more highly than he valued his Master. The former he would not sell under three hundred pence, but sold the latter for thirty pieces of silver. His nature was miserably false and selfish. This act of love ripened and revealed bis character. The loss of the ointment hurried him to sell bis Master. Thus we have the stench of avarice in the same room as the perfume of love. Ill. THE DEFENCE OF JESUS. "Then said Jesus," etc. This defence is addressed, not to Judas but to the other disciples. Jesus could now scarcely hope to extinguish the fire which was raging in Judas's soul, but could stop it from damaging other premises. In his defence : 1. A sound advice is given. "Let her alone." There is implied here: (1) The goodness cf the deed. This is expressed by another evangelist. JesllS could not tolerate evil, not even let it alone. (2) His sympathy with the performer. Her feelings were hurt, and he at once stood between innocence and the foul tongue of slander, and between love and the cold touch of avarice. (3) The proper conduct of the disciples. " Let her alone." When we cannot understand and agree with our brethren in their way of manifesting their love to the Saviour, our duty is clearly to let them alone. Between them and him: 2. Lovis offering is ezplained. (1) As having a reference to his death and burial. "Against the day of my burying," etc. How far the death of Christ was understood and believed by Mary we cannot say. However, it is evident that she was now inspired by love to perform on him an act which he looked upon as a befitting preparation for his bnrial. (2) As having a symbolic refere:nce to his re8ur- rection. 'l'he symbolic language of the offering rhymed with that of prophecy con- cerning him," that his soul should not be left in hell," etc. (3) As having a symbolic reference to the benefit of his death and his sovereignty over men. He was anointed as their King. She brake the box on Jesus. Jesus brake the box of Divine love on Oalvary. "The house was filled," etc. The world will be filled with; the odour of his sacrifice-the in.finite sacrifice of Divine love. Mary did what the nation ought to do, and what the world has been gradually doing ever since. She was partly unconscious of what ~he did. Love to Jesus is often blind, blinded by its own dazzle-especially by the dazz.I.e of its glorious Object; but its instincts and its intuitions are very strong, correct, deep, and far-reaching, Jesus can see in the offerings of love more tha.n the offerers themselves. They may often ask, "When saw we thee an hungered," etc. ? but he answers," Inasmuch," etc. (4) As being made to the proper O"bject. To him, aad not to the poor. For: (a) In any act of kindness to him the poor were recognized. Who was poorer than he? And yet he was the poor man's Friend. When love pours the ointment on him, it shall return to them with interest. Whatever is done to the poor, Jesus counts as done to him; would not they willingly now return the compli• ment? (b) Opportunities to serve the poor were many and permanent. "The poor ye have always," etc. (p) Opportunities to honour Jesus personally were few and briet: He was a Pilgrim in the land, only just passed by. Any act of personal kindness to him must be done at once or never. ( d) When the claims of the poor come into collision with those of Jesus, )he former must give way. While their claims are fully admitted, his !!-re supreme. They a.re to be ever helped, but he is to be anointed King of the heart and enthroned in the affections. The claims of the poor and those of Jesus can never come into collision but by the cunning opposition of avarice, or the thoughtless blunders of friendship. (6) As being made in time. The offerings of genuine and ardent love are never after the time; they are often bQfore, as in this c~e. Mary performed an net of kindness to her living Saviour. Many mourn over tne graves of tho~e they worried in life ; but Mary anointed her living Lord. She was deter- mined that he should t11ste the sweets of human kindness and smell the l)erfume ot human ·1ove and homage ere he passed away, and, bliing inspired with the thought 168 1'llE GOSPEL .AOdOl\DIN<l '110 ST. JOHN. [on. xn. 1--liO,