Day 4: HOLY WEDNESDAY
Scripture
MATTHEW 26:6-13 (NIV)
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Devotion
Throughout the gospels Jesus’s humility is broadcasted; from his birth as a human infant to his humiliation on the cross. Yet, we must not forget that Jesus was not just a human. Jesus is fully divine and fully human. His divinity requires a reverent and worshipful response. He is worthy of the act this woman is doing by pouring all of the highly valuable, expensive perfume upon him. This perfume cost more than a years wages. Through her act this woman showed that she valued Jesus far above what was worth an entire year's work.
The woman is demonstrating special sacrificial love to Jesus by pouring this perfume over his head and feet. Jesus loves the needy and the poor far beyond any other could, yet he doesn't hesitate to tell his disciples that the worship this woman is taking part in by anointing him and preparing him for burial is far greater than any act of generosity or service one could do for the poor.
Well intentioned generosity for the needy can even be distorted to become a quiet place of idolatry. Jesus is calling the disciples to realign their priorities and step away from their blindness to who He is. Jesus’s instructions throughout his earthly ministry are clear that we are to care for the needy. Do not be confused or misled; we are clearly called for social action as believers. Our obedient response of good works is necessary to the Christian life but as we see in this passage, we are instructed by Jesus himself to put him even above these works.
Good works and loving others, like anything else, must not become an idol, taking the place of God. This woman knew who Jesus was, she recognized his divinity and she gave him a proper response.
Question for reflection
What are you giving your adoration to? Acts of good? Or to the Lord Jesus Christ?
What is your most valuable and prized possession, would you easily be able to sacrifice it for the will of God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and kindness upon me, who falls short of giving you the praise and worship you are worthy of daily. Would you help change my desires and bend my heart and gaze towards you in all I do. Amen.
written by Rebecca Mathisen
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Family Devotional
Holy Wednesday: Mark 14:1-9
As you read the passage you can have children draw something that they think is very expensive. After finishing their drawing have the children show what they drew and maybe even estimate a cost. Ask your children some questions about the story: In the story what was the expensive thing that the woman had? What did she do with it? What did some people think about this? What did Jesus say about this?
You can continue: Why did the woman do this? It was her act of worship. Worship is a way of saying thank you God and remembering that He is powerful, loving, and good. Did you know God gave you something expensive to worship Him with? It is your body! You are priceless and He has given you the ability to worship Him by singing, dancing, bowing, drawing, and many other ways.
Put on a worship song and worship together.