Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?  John 12:5

Here, we have, in the house of Simon the leper, the pious sounding words of a diabolical man.  This took place in Bethany,  in the town where Lazarus lived and died and lived again. The Passover was 6 days away. The time to slay the lamb was coming.

Judas had already developed allegiances with the pious sounding men of Jerusalem. Men who loved to pray long prayers in public, men whose loyalties were to earthly domains, men who plotted the murder of the righteous on Holy days, men who considered their murderous deeds to be service unto God.

How holy you sound, O Judas. Go on, protest the lavish display of passion and comfort for the Savior, "We should give this to the poor, (why honor this man?)".  Those with a heart for this man, Jesus, hear your words and see through you Judas. Here in Bethany, where Jesus had his best friends on Earth the voice betrayal is heard.  "Give it to the poor", these words reveal how little Judas valued Christ, not how much Judas cared about the poor. Some say the ointment was worth one year's wages. Far more than the thirty pieces of silver, the amount Judas received for betraying Jesus.

The pious voice of the betrayer still speaks in the religious world. Penny-wise and pound-foolish, the wisdom of men still sells out Jesus Christ. "Don't waste it! Put it in the bank!" whine the clever voices of piety.  Meanwhile, the voices of passion for the savior always lead us to pouring out - "spending and being spent" (2 cor 12:15).  Indeed, Mary had chosen the better part.  Indeed, this is her memorial, pouring out of her abundance a sweet offering for the Savior.

Do you think I speak of money? Your thoughts betray you.  Money is not the issue here.  Luxury is the issue. What do you have of that is valuable beyond the necessities of life? Do you have an education, a skill, a hobby, or a position of influence? Make use of it for the savior. Give it away. Throw caution to the wind, ignore the pious voice of betrayal, which says, "Hold back, keep it for another cause, and don’t get too crazy". We have heard the voice of the betrayer, but we did not know who he was. We have heard Jesus say, “the hand of him who betrays me is at this table", but we are not sure of whose hand Jesus speaks. We must ask, “Is it I Lord” Christians, we have no other cause, no other day, THIS IS THE TIME! Don’t betray Jesus, break open your alabaster box. Pour yourself out.