"True Motives" 

John 12:5-6 "But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray him, said, 'why was this fragrant oil not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box and he used to take what was put in it."

Mary had just anointed Jesus's feet with oil. The spikenard that she used was extremely expensive and Judas took offense at this and made this seemingly noble statement about the poor. His true motive was about the money, because he had his fingers in the till.

People sometimes use the most religious sounding reasons to justify their most selfish motives.

Mary on the other hand had purer motives which Jesus commended her first in verse 7. "Leave her alone, she has kept this for the day of my burial." Mary anointed Jesus's feet to respect Him and show concern for Him. What are our true motives for what we say and do? Especially the super spiritual stuff we do and say. Jesus knows. Let us be careful to not try to appear to be something we are not. Jesus knows. Lord, sort out our true motives.

Being sorted with you,

Pastor Fred