John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 So they gave a dinner for Him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at table.
3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
Jesus is the center. Lazarus, Mary and Martha know Jesus is the center. Only the man who turns away to pursue his own interests is the one interested in the money.
What does Scripture say about funds and money
Paul discussed funds. He was a tentmaker. Peter owned a fleet of fishing ships. Peter's house was large and well-placed. Samuel had an Estate. So did Jeremiah. David and Solomon had tremendous personal wealth. It isn't that horrible money is discussed. No, Jesus is the Teacher in the Holy Spirit. It is that Judas is interested in the glory of earth, the association of the Temple officials. Judas is interested in Judas' glory. Paul certainly knew the Temple officials. Gamaliel was a favorite of Paul's during a very significant Temple education. And Paul was taught where his heart should go. Paul did put his heart to Jesus.
The widow, who put in her coins, let the trumpets of the Temple carry the noise. All offerings were put down the trumpets - it was majestic, made an incredible noise, and kept hands away from the coins going down the shoots. The trumpets were located where the Women's Court became the Court of Israel. The steps leading up to the Gate of Nicanor.
The Gate of Nicanor is a pivotal point in Israel's History.
Josephus wrote every time the Temple was destroyed - Solomon built Lord's Temple and the Temple Herods worked on for 70 years, the Gate of Nicanor was where money trumpets existed. The Nicanor meaning is The People of Victory. The Nicanor Gate is something very interesting. Josephus explains this gate - - - where the Gates opened from being locked to allow the invaders in the 2 times in Destruction of the Temple. The Gates were locked and priests and Temple officials hid behind the gates as the Destroyer approached. Josephus reports a miraculous event. The Hand of God unlocked the Gate of Nicanor. Meaning, the destruction of the Temple was in God's Hands. Yes, people screamed.
It is up to us to make our hearts remain open to God.
Jesus tells us in the Gospels, He is not the most successful minister. In fact, Jesus said that His Children, who could come later, would show greater works than Jesus. Jesus is not so concerned by works, Jesus is concerned with the heart and soul open to Father God's Love. God of Love. Jesus dealt with Judas, with the 72 disciples who ran away, with the man of 38 years who was ungrateful for the healing. He dealt with nine lepers. And Jesus is Love. Jesus loved anyway.
Jesus told the mourning women as He went to his death, "Days would come." And the generation after Jesus would find the new lame did not walk, after Jesus ascended. The blind, who did not meet Jesus, did not see. The deaf did not hear. And instead of leaving them to what they deserved, that generation found this:
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. In the prayers of the Apostles. Today, 2/3 rds of Christians tell The Pew Report, they know of a miracle, only explained by God from their prayers.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment