Motivated for Christ

In the continuing story of Jesus’ journey to the cross He is now back in Bethany visiting Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. (John 12:1-11) Several people are in attendance and we get to see what motivated each of them to do the things they did.

Martha had learned from the previous incident to serve out of selfless devotion to Christ. If you love Him, you serve others for His sake without complaining.

Lazarus had become a living breathing witness for Christ and “on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”

Every time we encounter Mary in the Gospels, she is at Jesus’ feet—first, learning from Him; then, pouring out her sorrow to Him; and now, expressing her love and devotion to Him. (Bible.org) She was anointing His feet with her most precious possession regardless of the criticism she received.

“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.” The word tells us that Judas’ motivation was greed.

“A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.” The crowd was curious and wanted to see for themselves what had taken place.

Lastly the chief priests were in attendance and made plans to kill Lazarus as well. They had already been looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus and their motivation was pride and jealousy.

So which of these people are you most like? What motivates you for Christ? Do we serve out of genuine love and compassion or is it to be seen by others and obtain recognition?

Do we, like Judas and the Jewish leaders act out of selfish interests? Judas thought that more money would bring him more happiness. The Jewish leaders wanted to hang onto their power. But both parties wasted their lives because they spent them on themselves. As Jesus states, “He who loves his life loses it ….”

Lazarus, Martha and Mary were motivated for Christ. Their ministry brought others to Him and many believed and were saved. We are still reading about their stories just as Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.  And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Love for Christ should be the motive in all that we do for Him. “That is the only thing that makes any sense in ministry. We do it for Him.” The world may scorn us and reject our message. Other believers may criticize us and not appreciate what we’re doing. But we aren’t wasting our lives if we spend them in selfless devotion for Jesus. (Bible.org)

My prayer

Father, please forgive me for my wrong motives. I want to serve You from a heart of love and devotion. You saved me Lord and You teach me Your ways. Help me to selflessly share with others and regardless of the response let it be all for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”