A Thief of Glory, John 12:1-6 | Holy Week 2026- Picnic & Praise Devotional

Introduction: It’s Holy Week, a week set aside to remember, reflect, and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Every day this week we have a special emphasis to remind us of what Jesus did.

According to tradition, Wednesday is when Jesus was anointed by Mary. It is also known as “Spy Wednesday,” thought to be the day Judas conspired to betray Jesus. These two things come together in John 12:1-6, Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

This passage brings up an important question for us- are we giving Jesus what He deserves or do we want it for ourselves?

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He visited him at home with his sisters Mary & Martha, & they made Jesus Supper. We should expect nothing less, right, if Jesus raises your brother from the dead the least you can do is make Him dinner, right? At this supper, Martha Served, Mary Sees, but Judas Steals (or rather he wants to).

The differences between Mary & Martha are set up pretty early in the ministry of Jesus. Our first impression of them is when they invite Jesus over to their house, & Martha is really busy serving her guests. Mary however was sitting at Jesus’ feet hanging on His every word.

Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help. Jesus responded, Luke 10:41-42, Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.

Old habits die hard. Maybe it’s just their personalities, or maybe it’s how these two sisters operated out of their spiritual gifts, but here we go again- Martha working & Mary worshiping. Martha giving of her time and Mary giving of her treasure.

What did Mary give? She took this pound of very expensive ointment- spikenard, or nard; highly perfumed & very costly. She gave it to Jesus.

As she worshiped at Christ’s feet, she served him. She anointed His feet & cleaned them with her hair. Later Jesus said this was to prepare Him for burial. For Mary, it’s not just service, it’s giving. Giving is one of the ways that we worship the Lord- our time, our talents, & our treasure. These things are not mutually exclusive. Batting .300 is great in baseball, but terrible in worship. We need to do all three of them.

The LORD deserves our first & best, not our leftovers. Is it really giving if it doesn’t cost us anything? If it’s only our leftover time, talent, & treasure, doesn’t He deserve more?

Our devotion to the Lord must include both service & giving, & if it doesn’t, (God help us), we’re not that different from Judas. Judas didn’t care that Martha worked, or served; he was going to eat. Judas didn’t care that Mary worshiped, & sat at Jesus’ feet; didn’t affect him at all. But he cared when he wasn’t getting anything out of it!

Judas was a thief of God’s glory. And we can be that way sometimes. If we want what Jesus has, or withhold what He deserves, then we are stealing from God. We are a thief of His glory.

None of us have ever served to the extent that Christ served us. None of us have ever given to the extent that Christ gave to us. But many of us have wanted what belongs to Him- service & worship, time, talent, & treasure. Are you a server & a giver, or, are you a taker? a consumer of spiritual goods & services you get from Jesus.

For the rest of this Holy Week, let’s make sure that we are giving Jesus what He deserves, not taking what belongs to Him.