It’s almost April.
We’re getting closer to the weekend when we remember Jesus’ death on the cross and celebrate His resurrection.
For weeks now, I’ve been drawn to a striking similarity between Mary of Bethany (a passionate worshipper of Jesus)
and Judas (the betrayer of Jesus.)
Both of them were all in.
Mary was all in for Jesus, her Savior. The religious leaders, (allegedly trained to see spiritual things) were blind to Jesus’ identity as God, Messiah, Savior. In fact, they were plotting to kill Him because His compassionate ministry and teaching threatened their power and position. Yet Mary, who was “just” an ordinary Jew and woman had put the pieces together into a clear picture. Jesus was about to go “all in” for her. Jesus was about to become her personal Passover Lamb, the unblemished sacrifice for her sins.
Innocence slaughtered for the guilty.
So with a singular focus on her Lord, Mary entered the room where Jesus and others were having dinner. She carefully carried an exquisite alabaster jar of pure and precious nard oil in her hands. It cost a year’s wages.
It was likely her inheritance.
Her marriage dowry.
All she had for her future security.
Mary had decided that Jesus was her future security.
She broke the jar and poured out the rich, fragrant oil on His head.
She broke the jar and anointed Him for His upcoming burial with sold-out, sacrificial worship.
Did you see that?
She broke the jar.
There was no going back.
No scooping up the oil and getting it back in the jar.
No changing her mind about what she had done.
She was all in.
Judas, was also all in, but not “for” Jesus.
Judas was all in for Judas…for what Judas wanted.
Judas had expected a Jewish Messiah to come as a warrior to overthrow Roman rule and end oppression.
Judas had followed Jesus, perhaps hoping for a seat of power and wealth in the new government.
Appointed as the treasurer among Jesus’ followers,
Judas had a reputation for dipping his hand in the money bag to take something for himself.
When Mary had poured fragrant oil and worship on Jesus, Judas had objected to “wasted” money. Jesus rebuked him.
Frustrated that Jesus was not acting the way Judas wanted,
the false disciple then went to the religious leaders asking how much they would give him to betray Jesus.
Finally, at the last Passover meal Jesus would share with His friends, Jesus washed all His disciples’ feet, including those of Judas. For Judas, there was no broken jar. It was his broken heart and soul that tethered him to the title of traitor.
Judas could have — should have — seized the opportunity to back away from betrayal.
Later, gathered around the table, the disciples heard Jesus declare that one of them —
the one who received the bread from Jesus’ hand — would betray Him.
Another opportunity for Judas to reconsider and change course!
But scripture tells us, Judas was all in.
“As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” (John 13:30)
Judas literally turned his back and walked away from Jesus.
Judas walked away from the Light of the world into the darkest darkness of night.
For both Mary and Judas, being “all in” was not an instant decision. Being all in was a series of choices.
All along, Judas had chosen to chase after power and money instead of the compassion and freedom Jesus came to bring.
All along, Mary had chosen to believe all that Jesus promised…
– that He could raise her brother from the dead after being in the tomb three days. (And He did!)
– that He, Himself, could die and come back to life in three days. (And He did!)
– hat He could set her free from the guilt and shame of sin. (And He did!)
Mary was all in for Jesus. Judas was all in for himself.
For whom or what are you “all in”?
Power and position?
Career and climbing the ladder?
Awards and Accolades?
Wins and wealth?
Fame and followers?
Distraction and diversions?
Entertainment and Ease?
Or Savior and Sacrifice?
Jesus went all in for you and me.
The nails could not have held Him on that cross if He had chosen to come down.
It was His love for you and me that kept Him there until the price for each one of our sins was paid.
He didn’t wash our feet; He washed our souls – IF we believe in Him as OUR Savior.
What kind of love is this, all-in love, that Jesus would lay down His life to make us, who were His enemies, His friends?
To make cast-out orphans His sons and daughters?
Jesus, thank you for carrying my sin on the cross, for putting it to death so I can have life.
Thank you for loving me, forgiving me, and going “all in” so I can be your precious child.
Guide my new life living in Your strength, and help me learn what it looks like to live all-in for YOU, Jesus. Amen
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