John 12:4-6 “But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it..”
What motivates you? What gives you purpose? What is the reason why? What is the fuel behind the fire of the actions of your life? Surely what motivates you to be a good father or mother may be that you want to see your children grow to become God-honoring, well-behaved, contributions to society. Perhaps what drives you to be a good spouse might be the fact that you also want to be loved, that you want to honor the Lord in your marriage, and that you want a best friend to grow old with. Certainly, what prompts you to work as a good employee is the paycheck you receive, the need to provide for your family, and the reputation with which you maintain for yourself. Therefore, this is the same question each Christian must ask of themselves regarding ministry, service, and the outworking of their faith. What motivates you and I? What prompts us to serve others? What influences us to care for the uncared for? What drives us toward compassion? Our motivations do.
Judas was not so motivated. Well, he was deeply motivated, but not by the same source that ought to motivate us. His compassion was not genuine and his servants' heart was a façade. It was purely self-seeking, self-satisfying, and pridefully prompted. Theologian D.A. Carson writes, “If self-righteous piety sometimes snuffs out genuine compassion, it must also be admitted, with shame, that social activism, even that which meets real needs, sometimes masks a spirit that knows nothing of worship and adoration.”[1] Paul echoed this sentiment as he wrote to the church in Corinth: “If I speak in the tongues n of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, u but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:1-4). Paul was not speaking of love merely as something you’d find between a married couple, rather he was speaking of love as a motivation and as a means by which we live for the lord and serve others.
All of Christ love that flows out of us, must be rooted in Christ love that is within us. Compassionate acts of service and ministry are the means by which we express the love of Christ that motivates us. We do not give nor serve from a place of obligation, but from a heart that overflows with joy that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work… This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:7-8, 12-15).
As we reflect on the ill and selfish motivations of Judas, may it remind us of our own motivation in living out the cause of Christ. To bring him glory, to make him known, to love and serve him because we are so grateful for what he has done for us. Be blessed.
[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 429.
What motivates you? What gives you purpose? What is the reason why? What is the fuel behind the fire of the actions of your life? Surely what motivates you to be a good father or mother may be that you want to see your children grow to become God-honoring, well-behaved, contributions to society. Perhaps what drives you to be a good spouse might be the fact that you also want to be loved, that you want to honor the Lord in your marriage, and that you want a best friend to grow old with. Certainly, what prompts you to work as a good employee is the paycheck you receive, the need to provide for your family, and the reputation with which you maintain for yourself. Therefore, this is the same question each Christian must ask of themselves regarding ministry, service, and the outworking of their faith. What motivates you and I? What prompts us to serve others? What influences us to care for the uncared for? What drives us toward compassion? Our motivations do.
Judas was not so motivated. Well, he was deeply motivated, but not by the same source that ought to motivate us. His compassion was not genuine and his servants' heart was a façade. It was purely self-seeking, self-satisfying, and pridefully prompted. Theologian D.A. Carson writes, “If self-righteous piety sometimes snuffs out genuine compassion, it must also be admitted, with shame, that social activism, even that which meets real needs, sometimes masks a spirit that knows nothing of worship and adoration.”[1] Paul echoed this sentiment as he wrote to the church in Corinth: “If I speak in the tongues n of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, u but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:1-4). Paul was not speaking of love merely as something you’d find between a married couple, rather he was speaking of love as a motivation and as a means by which we live for the lord and serve others.
All of Christ love that flows out of us, must be rooted in Christ love that is within us. Compassionate acts of service and ministry are the means by which we express the love of Christ that motivates us. We do not give nor serve from a place of obligation, but from a heart that overflows with joy that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work… This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:7-8, 12-15).
As we reflect on the ill and selfish motivations of Judas, may it remind us of our own motivation in living out the cause of Christ. To bring him glory, to make him known, to love and serve him because we are so grateful for what he has done for us. Be blessed.
[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 429.