March 17                                                                   John 12:  1-11; Hebrews 9: 11-15

 

 

 

I am reminded of T.S. Eliot's lines "The last temptation is the greatest treason to do the right thing for the wrong reason."  In John 12:1-11, John writes about Judas, after he questions Martha's use of expensive perfume on Jesus' feet: "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 do we really care about? More importantly, why do we care? 

Eliot writes, "If he selfishly seeks martyrdom out of a personal desire for immortality, rather than selflessly accepting the risk of death while defending what he believes is right, then he will commit treason against the very Lord he is supposedly serving."

It's difficult to say to our children, for example, study because you should develop your mind, to contribute positively to your world.  It's easier to say, study so you get good grades.  It's difficult to pay your taxes because you should help your fellow citizen.  It's easier to say, I have to pay my taxes or I'll get fined.  It's difficult to say, I go to church to honor God.   It's easier to say, I go so that I may be saved.

I am reminded, too, of the wonderful gift of doing the right thing for the right reason.

Hebrews says it clearly: "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

 

 

 

~ David Olio