John 12:4–9 (NKJV)
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.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
Judas followed Jesus but his motive was hidden. When true sincere worship was given, Judas condemned. Judas was a thief! His motive for being with Jesus was not for Jesus but self-centered. He was with the other disciples, but he did not love Jesus or the mission Jesus was on. How many fall away from following Christ because their own motives are false and insincere?
We must be careful in our criticism of hypocrisy. No one follower of Jesus is perfect. Even Jesus allowed Judas to continue with the other disciples.
We all stand in need of repentance and devotion. Jesus said in Matthew 7:3–5, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Then some halfheartedly follow Christ looking for the spectacular. They come seeking Christ but looking for Lazarus, the one raised from the dead. The worship of Christ is not enough. How often do we enter the Sanctuary (Worship Center) looking for the spectacular and finding only a mundane, commonplace, ordinary service. HOW BORING! The service is boring because our hearts are not prepared. The service is boring because our hearts are divided. We seek excitement…Jesus is the attraction. If He is not enough there is nothing left.
We notice at the beginning of the week a multitude stood along the side of the road praising Jesus as the one who came to deliver them, as the One promised in the prophesies. As the week rolled along fewer and fewer people were following Him. True worship of God does not begin when we enter into the sanctuary of a church building. It takes place in our heart every day of the week. And yes, we need to be in church, in a worship service with other Christians.
Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”