Tag: Holy Wednesday devotion

Anointing Jesus – A Holy Wednesday Devotion

Scripture – Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over His head.

Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. 

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could and has anointed My body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Mark 14:3-9)

Devotion – As we contemplate the events of Holy Wednesday, we are drawn to the beautiful and worshipful act of the woman who anointed Jesus with precious perfume in Bethany. This act of devotion was not only generous but also deeply personal and sacrificial. By pouring the expensive perfume on Jesus, the woman displayed her understanding of His divine nature and the imminent sacrifice He would make. 

Her actions remind us that true worship often involves giving our best to the Lord, in recognition of His infinite worth. The outpouring of the perfume symbolizes the outpouring of her love and reverence for Jesus. Despite criticism from others, she remained focused and unwavering in her commitment to honor Him, setting an example of wholehearted devotion. 

Reflection Questions:

  1. What can we learn from the woman’s willingness to give something valuable to honor Jesus?
  2. How can we demonstrate our devotion to Jesus in our daily lives, even when others may not understand or appreciate it?
  3. In what ways can we offer our best to Christ today, reflecting the sacrificial love shown by the woman?

Prayer – Lord, as we think about the devotion of the woman who anointed You, help us to understand the depth of true worship. May we be inspired to give our best to You, recognizing Your infinite worth. Help us to live our lives as offerings of love and reverence, unwavering in our commitment to honor You. Guide our hearts to be focused on You, just as the woman’s was, holding nothing back. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Worship Activity – In your journal or on a piece of paper, make a list of the possessions you hold most dear in life. Ask yourself whether you would be willing to give them to the Lord if He led you to do so. Write out a prayer to the Lord, committing to Him that He is more important to you than any of these items.

*This post was originally written for “The Week that Changed Everything,” a Holy Week devotional by Celebration Church New Orleans.

**Photo courtesy of Matt Botsford

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Holy Week and Easter, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Spy Wednesday

Jesus Anointed At Bethany/Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus

Scripture – Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:6-16)

Devotional Thought: The first three days of Passion Week were awash in drama – Sunday’s triumphal entry, Monday’s temple cleansing, and Tuesday’s temple confrontations. But then Wednesday enters like the calm before the storm. But Jesus wasn’t fooled by the seemingly peaceful day. He understood that evil was lurking about in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head. Wednesday of Passion Week is often called “Spy Wednesday” because it’s when the dark conspiracy against Jesus takes a giant leap, when a traitor, or spy, from within strikes a deal. It is on this day that the key pieces come together in the plot for the greatest sin in all of history, the betrayal and murder of the Son of God. 

However, on this day, a great kindness was also done for Jesus. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12), anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Critical remarks arose from Judas (John 12), saying Mary’s act was wasteful when it could have been sold with the proceeds given to the poor. But Jesus sees Mary’s anointing as an act of extravagant worship, preparing Him for burial. But to Judas, this extravagant anointing is the last straw. Allowing Satan to influence him, he goes to the chief priest and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples have been at His side. They’ve traveled with Him, ministered in His name, and have been His earthly companions. But now, as Judas initiates his betrayal, Jesus is reminded that His death is something He must bear alone for the redemption of the world. 

Prayer: Lord, as I remember the happenings of Spy Wednesday, help me to be like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who worshiped You with extravagance and abandon. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Follow-up Activity: Pray today, asking the Lord how you might worship Him with extravagance and abandon, just like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, did. If you’re leading your family through this devotion time, pray the same thing, either individually or as a family, then discuss any responses anyone may have received from the Lord.

*Image courtesy of Francesco Alberti

**This devotion is part of RENEWED, an 8-day devotional by Celebration Church of New Orleans. The entire devotional is available (in English and Spanish) for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment