What Jesus Did! 'Pious Sounding Critics' — John 12:4-6

Thursday, August 20, 2026

[After Mary anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume,] Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray [Jesus], said, "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself.
— John 12:4-6 NLT

Key Thought

Ever notice that some people at church can criticize much more freely than they can praise, encourage, serve, or sacrifice? Satan has a way of finding greedy and selfish hearts to use pious sounding words to criticize those who are willing to sacrifice. Does that mean we give up on the church? Well, did Jesus give up on his disciples because one of them was a greedy traitor, one was always overstating his faith, and the rest were often confused? Of course not! Where else would we want a person wrestling with heart problems to be other than among God's people! The real issue is whether those who lead give in to pious sounding critics or gently confront them with the truth as Jesus did with Judas in the next verses. [1] Too many who sacrifice and serve are not affirmed because someone else criticizes them. Jesus shows us this must not be!

[1] John 12:7-8.

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving God, please open my eyes to people who are serving you, especially those who are serving extravagantly, and then use me to affirm them and encourage them in their service and sacrifice for your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Loving Extravagance
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved Disciple, What would it be worth to have someone precious to you raised from the dead? I don't ask this question to be morbid or..."

Illustration

Illustration of John 12:4-6 NLT — "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Body of Christ' (1 Co. 12:1-11)
"Dear Father, great, good and generous giver, Thank you for making me part of the body of Christ, his church. Thank you that there are no unimportant...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Faith's Solid Ground'
"Dear Precious Disciple, While many things in life are complicated, the basis for saving faith shouldn't be. I want you to know that your faith is on...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Reassurance' (Mt. 1:19-20)
"Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced [when she became pregnant]. While he was trying to figure...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 2:12
"Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!