Holy Week: Holy Wednesday

Wednesday is the day that some would label into the darkness. As we read in Mark 14, the events that take place this day are all foreshadowing the death of Jesus. They point us towards the Cross. In verses 1-11, we are confronted with two opposing actions, the woman who recognized Jesus as Lord and poured out her devotion to Him and Judas, a close friend, who betrayed Him. 

Here’s the contrast. Jesus says, “she has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial” (Mark 14:8). But, moments later, Judas makes the decision to betray Jesus (Mark 14:10-11). The contrast is clear: The woman is generous; Judas is greedy. The woman is humble; Judas felt superior. The woman is selfless; Judas is selfish. The woman kneels in adoration; Judas betrays. 

By choosing to betray Jesus to the chief priests, Judas helped set the plot in motion for Jesus to be killed. He made a costly choice. But in the same breath, the woman had already anointed Jesus and prepared Him for burial. She did what she could. Gave what she had. She also made a costly choice. 

Mark intentionally chose to frame these two occurrences right before the Last Supper, Jesus’ last meal with His disciples. The choice remains for us: to make the costly choice to follow Him wholeheartedly or to make the costly choice to not follow Him wholeheartedly.

Today, stretch your vision to imagine what kind of love would lead you to give up everything and to pour out all that you have for Jesus. It’s the kind of love that would lead Him to give up everything, including His very life for you.