Topic: The Leaven of Faultfinders [Friday December 11, 2015]
Text: John 12:1-11
Key Verse: “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?” (John 12:4, 5).
Christ warned His disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees”. This leaven, according to the Scripture, means hypocrisy or the doctrine of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1; Matthew 16:12).
The reference here therefore borders on lifestyle and influence. Perhaps, another set of people of whose leaven we must be wary is the faultfinders. They, like the hypocrites, carry with them masked but sinister intentions. Judas Iscariot, in today’s text, exhibited the trademark of chronic faultfinders. Six days before the Passover, Christ was in Bethany where he had raised Lazarus from death. Mary seized the occasion to express her appreciation and love for the Lord Jesus by anointing His feet with a costly ointment of spikenard, wiping same with her hair. Judas found fault with this lavish honour, regarding it as wasteful and loudly wished the ointment were sold and the proceeds given to the poor. But notice verse 6, “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.” Mary’s act of worship and adoration was however regarded as significantly prophetic and connected to Christ’s death. It was a most sacrificial and self-abasing commitment to Him. But faultfinders will always censor any commitment or consecration superior to anything they can offer.
Beneath such censorship is always a selfish motive – envy, jealousy, pride or some other inordinate quest. Often, these ulterior motives are covered with care-for-the-poor kind of mask. Fortunately, we are dealing with God who knows the heart of everyone. As we reflect on the goodness of God in our lives, it should be our resolve to always offer to Him the best that we have. We should not let anyone’s censorious attitude moderate our devotion or deter us from going the extra mile for the Lord. The Lord’s commendation is all that matters.
Thought for the day: To the upright, the world’s criticisms often translate to the Lord’s commendation.
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 38-41
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
