John 12:3-8 reads:
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
In this Christmas season, I wonder if this applies. Should we be ministering to the poor, or lavishing gifts on those we love? Or does Jesus’ reply only pertain to the specific circumstance?
We know Judas wasn’t thinking only of the poor because the scripture states so plainly. But it isn’t clear that Judas would have prevented any benefit from going to the poor. In other words, perhaps he only skimmed some off the top, or valued having the money under his control for his own power. Further, Jesus’ answer seems to imply he thought the poor would have been recipients.
If Jesus answer is only for the particular circumstance of applying oil or other lavish gift to Jesus directly, before his death, then it appears application is limited today. Since the Holy Spirit provides all scripture is profitable 2 Timothy 3:16, I think our Lord’s words have broader applicability.
I read the verse as giving Christians freedom to give gifts to those they love, even if the money could have been given to the poor instead. While many seem to lament the “commercialization of Christmas,” I’ll take a different view. This is the time of year when many people think about others for a minute. Perhaps we need more of that? Gift giving involves putting what we know about others to use, and applying our treasure with the hope of adding goodness to their lives. So whether it is a gift purchased from the store, or the gift of love & labor, I think Jesus is proud of His Saints when they give to each other. Yes, we should continue to give to the poor, but they will be with us always. Who do you love? Give them gifts!
