House Fire

What would you grab first if your house was on fire? This may seem like a dark question, but I'm sure you have heard it before, or maybe thought about it. I pray that no one ever has to go through something like that, but what would you grab? Some people may answer this question with responses such as: a wallet, a purse, clothes, keys, a memorable photo, or maybe even a big trophy. Realistically speaking, these are all probably things we would like to grab and protect, but they would ultimately come after an attempt to protect ourselves and other people (or pets) that live with us. In a house fire, our lives and the lives of those we love should matter the most.

In John 12, Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead and a dinner is being given in his honor. Mary, who was in attendance, poured an expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair (a customary honorary practice at the time). Judas Iscariot objected to this by saying in Verse 5, "Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” Verse 6 says, "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." Jesus responds in Verses 7-8 saying, "Leave her alone, It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” In a biblical house fire, Judas would have grabbed his wallet!

I love this story in the Bible because it teaches an essential theological lesson. Sometimes, we tend to worship the things of God instead of worshipping the God of all things. In this case, Judas tried to elevate his cause over the cause of Christ. Unfortunately, Judas goes on to betray Jesus and eventually hangs himself. Since Jesus is the forgiveness of sins and the eternal solution to all of life's problems, He should matter most. In our spiritual house fires, Jesus is the only hope in getting out alive.

​-Jacob

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