264
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
He reproached him not, and thus avoided giving him an excuse for his
future perfidy.
But he rebuked the disciples, saying, “Ye have the poor with you
always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good; but me ye have
not always. She hath done what she could. She is come aforehand to
anoint my body to the burying. Verily, I say unto you, wheresoever
this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that
she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Jesus, looking
into the future, spoke with certainty concerning his gospel: That it was
to be preached throughout the whole world. Kingdoms would rise and
fall; the names of monarchs and conquerors would be forgotten; but
the memory of this woman’s deed would be immortalized upon the
pages of sacred history.
Had the disciples rightly appreciated the exalted character of their
Master, they would have considered no sacrifice too costly to offer to
the Son of God. The wise men of the East understood more definitely
his true position, and the honor due him, than his own followers, who
[379]
had received his instruction and beheld his mighty miracles. They
brought precious gifts to the Saviour, and bent in homage before him,
while he was but a babe, and cradled in a manger.
The look which Jesus cast upon the selfish Judas convinced him
that the Master penetrated his hypocrisy and read his base, con-
temptible character. He was stirred with resentment. His heart burned
with envy that Jesus should be the recipient of an offering suitable to
the monarchs of earth. He went directly from that supper to the chief
priests, and agreed to betray him into their hands. The priests were
greatly rejoiced at this, and “they covenanted with him for thirty pieces
of silver, and from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”
In the case of Judas we see the fearful result of covetousness and
unholy anger. He begrudged the offering made to Jesus, and although
not personally rebuked, he was irritated to combine revenge with his
avarice, and sell his Lord for a few pieces of silver. Mary showed how
highly she prized the Saviour when she accounted the most precious
gift none too costly for him; but Judas valued Jesus at the price for
which he sold him; his niggardly soul balanced the life of the Son
of God against a paltry sum of money. The same cold, calculating
spirit is manifested by many who profess Christ today. Their offerings
to his cause are grudgingly bestowed or withheld altogether under