Text: Mark 14:3-11, Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:3-6, Zechariah 11:12-13
Today is the fourth day of the portion of the church calendar commonly known as Holy Week.
In the coming days, we will slow our pace, walking through the events that took place between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Rather than offer personal, written responses to each day’s Scripture reading, we’ve asked our friend, Pastor Russ Ramsey, to provide a real-time summary of the week’s events. Our prayer is that this more descriptive approach will usher you into the narrative and allow space for you to fully engage the beauty and ache of Holy Week.
Take this week slowly and reverently. It is a somber time, but let us never forget: Sunday is coming.
___
On the Wednesday before His death, Jesus was still. Though Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of Holy Week were filled with harrowing experiences that seemed to be drawing Him ever nearer to His death, on Wednesday Jesus stayed out of the public eye.
On this day, Jesus and His disciples had gone to the home of a man in Bethany known as Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6). Simon belonged to a growing part of the population known not for their accomplishments, but for what was wrong with them. It was a difficult life, but it must also have been strangely liberating since the first thing people learned about Simon was his broken past. Simon lived among the few who did not have to pretend to be what they were not. He was Simon, the leper. People could choose his company or reject it, but that was who he was.
In Simon’s home, during their meal together, Mary of Bethany, Lazarus’ sister, came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of perfume (Mark 14:3). She had been saving this perfume, worth a year’s wages, to perform this very act.
She began to pour the perfume on Jesus’ head and feet, which required breaking open its container. Like popping the cork on a $20,000 bottle of champagne, Mary intentionally and deliberately offered Jesus everything she had. By giving Him her most valuable possession, Mary was expressing that she knew what Jesus was about to give of Himself was for her.
The disciples reacted like many men often do. They considered the value of her perfume and regarded her actions as though she might as well have been burning a year’s wages in a bread oven. But they dressed their indignation up in the noble auspices of concern for the poor: Think of the poor people who could have benefited from the sale of this perfume (Mark 14:4-5).
But this was not how her actions hit Jesus. He came to her aid. What Mary is doing is beautiful, He said to them (Mark 14:6).
Appreciate the doctrinal principle here. The perfume could have been sold for a year’s wages, but what is perfume for? Is it merely a commodity Mary should have held on to in the event that she needed to cash it in? Is this how God would expect her to regard this valuable resource?
Apparently not. Perfume is meant to be poured out, released into the air until it is gone, in order to fill the room with its beautiful and startling aroma. So Mary breaks open the jar and the scent electrifies the senses of everyone present, and Jesus says it is beautiful.
Everything in creation testifies to a Creator who delights in beauty for beauty’s sake. So many things that are beautiful didn’t need to be. And it was God who elected to make them that way. He opted to make autumn a season saturated with bold, changing color. He didn’t have to make the setting sun the spectacle that it is. But He did. Why?
One reason must be because beauty pleases Him. And another may simply be to arrest people by their senses when they’re otherwise just plodding along, heads down, living within the economy of pragmatism.
What Mary did that day was beautiful and Jesus wanted everyone to know it. She was preparing Him for burial. There was honor and kindness in her gesture. He returned the honor by saying history would never forget her act of beauty (Mark 14:8-9). And we haven’t.
written by Russ Ramsey
adapted from Behold the King of Glory
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92 thoughts on "Holy Week in Real Time: Wednesday"
Amen!! Loving this study!!!
As I read today’s passage it really stood out to me the contrast of how money can bring such beautiful or destruction. Looking at what Mary did, she used her money for a beautiful act of service. She sacrifically gave. Judas on the other hand used money for personal profit, creating such a disaster of a mess. Money in the end that would cost him his own life. Money can be a powerful tool, used for the greater good or evil. When I look at the news there are so many stories where money drives such terrible deeds and ultimately I believe it is because those people are consumed by “worldly things”. Just a reminder for me to keep my perspective on the good book, not the new clothes, BBQ or next big health food. Not that there is anything wrong with these items, it is my drive that I need to acknowledge. Because when I feed my worldy desires they only seem to grow louder and larger. Have a blessed day ladies, LOVE this community. Was feeling lonely tonight and knew the first place to go to. xo
Amen well said
❤️
I think the writings of this day struck such a chord in me so much more so than the previous.
Our creator who delights in beauty shares it with us to lift us up out of our dark, dull lives so that we may find peace, comfort and joy and catch a glimpse of heaven. Oh, come Lord Jesus, come !
Hi!How do we know the women that broke the jar of pure oil was Mary of Bethany?
Hi Luisa! Mark does not say the woman’s name is Mary, but in John Chapter 12, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with an expensive oil.
Yes but that is also said to be 6 days before the Passover, not 2 as is in the other 3 gospels. The anointing by Mary in Jihn also takes place in the house of Lazarus
Hi Gina! In John 12 it does say that Mary poured the oil on Jesus but that was where Lazarus lived. In Mark 14, Jesus was at Simon the Lepers house, these were two different places and two different women.
I thought of this during my contemplation on God’s delight in beauty. Though I have been cast down and can be ugly, Jesus changes me and makes me beautiful.
Is 61:3 “to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,
and splendid clothes instead of despair.
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the Lord
to glorify Him.” Thank you Lord for your sacrifice.
I’m glad you shared this verse.
I really loved the reading today. “Smell the aroma of me.” is what I heard from the Holy Spirit. It sent me on a lovely research finding out what spikenard (the oil used) is, how the five senses can heal the body and I how need to invest more in soaking up not just the Spirit but that which is lovely and beautiful in our surroundings.
Yes! Me too
How exactly is the Zechariah passage meant to fit in? Is it emphasizing how in our sinfulness we demean the gift of Jesus, as Judas did? Why exactly did Zechariah throw the silver into the house of the LORD?
To which Zechariah Scripture are you referring?
This is a prophesy from the Old Testament of what Judas did with the payment he received.
It was a prophesy of what Judas would do. LalLater
Never have I read and understood this passage in depth the way I did today. Thank you again SRT!
Thanks for joining us today, Elizabeth! Blessings to you!
xoxo-Kaitlin
I love how Jesus always speaks up for the underdog. Jesus liberated women. Her act was not normal for women in that day! I am always quick to judge. But I need to look for a lesson in every act. Jesus forgive me! She gave it all, without a second thought.
Amen! She gave it all to the Messiah in that moment, in front of many.
Yes! Thanks for pointing this out, Grace!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Beauty for beauty’s sake. The Lord loves what is beautiful. It is so easy to get blinded to the natural beauty around me when I am surrounded by high rises, fast cars, expensive meals, and everything-over-the-top-city-living… But to focus on what is beautiful will lead me to my Savior. To give him all my riches and to look like a fool in he eyes of my earthly neighbors will lead me down the path to salvation. Thank you for this reminder today!
“So many things that are beautiful didn’t need to be.” Isn’t that such a true testament to us as a people? So often we can be ugly in spirit, but our beautiful actions will always speak louder than the sins He forgives. We, especially as women, can look into a mirror- whether we’re dressed to the nines or wearing sweats- and think, “I’m not beautiful.” But we absolutely are! He sees us. And He loves us deeply. And He believes totally and completely in our beauty- the beauty that He created!
I have a quote I keep in my bathroom that says “be your own kind of beautiful.” This reminds me each day that I am unique and beautiful just the way I am. I don’t have to try to present myself the way I think the world wants me too. It reminds me that I can just be me, the woman God intentionally created.
She began to pour the perfume on Jesus’ head and feet, which required breaking open its container. Like popping the cork on a $20,000 bottle of champagne, Mary intentionally and deliberately offered Jesus everything she had. By giving Him her most valuable possession, Mary was expressing that she knew what Jesus was about to give of Himself was for her.
What is our most prized possession? For me, its really what is one of my frequently thought about desires? To be desired without abandon sexually? For a great marriage with a fulfilling sex life? Can I give these to Jesus and He give me something of himself? What will that even be? How will I even offer up the many parts of my sexuality I dont understand? In the past few days I have tried praying about my body and my sexuality (tho I have still fallen) and its just totally weird
Sister, there are so many aspects of our lives that seem weird and confusing, especially when they involve our worldly desires and thoughts. I encourage you to continue seeking Him for answers because you will not find them of this world. We are called to give ourselves fully to God; to lay our burdens and worries at the foot of the cross. I know it is easier said than done, and I truly cannot understand the ache that you may feel daily as you try to discover the person that you are, but I will pray alongside you that you feel peace and comfort during this difficult time. Know that you are loved and cherished by a King, THE King, and He walks alongside you in all aspects of life. Try and focus your thoughts and conversations around Him and pray for His spirit to reveal to you the answers your heart longs for. He will in His good time. He always does. Love to you.
Wow this made me cry thank you so much!
You are loved, friend!
By the way are you aaying that the desire to be desired without abandon and to have a fulfilling sex life in marriage….while im not yet married….would those be worldly…?
To an extent, I wouldn’t say that that is. God created sex with the intent to be a beautiful act (in marriage.) He designed us, His children, to want to be desired, loved and adored. All of these things we get from Him. When it comes to sexual fulfillment, we must remember these things and take into account how He has intended for those desires and wants to be fulfilled, but within the sacrament of marriage. Sex, (from what I have heard, I, too, am not married) in marriage IS a big deal, and like any form of a relationship takes work. It would only be natural for you to desire that fulfillment when the time comes, but try not to focus your days solely around it. To think about your future is natural, both of this world and the future of your life romantically and spiritually. God promises to fulfill the desires of our heart (He did, after all, place them there,) and He will not leave you abandoned. Keep your focus on Him and try to maintain a constant line of communication. Lay your trust fully in Him.
Needed this devotional and these comments today. I’ve had a strange morning, emotionally, and I’m glad to be refocused on what, and Who, is important.
You will overcome
Praying for your day, Rochelle! Glad to hear that you have your focus back on Him despite a morning of ache. He mends our hearts and always draws us near. Hugs to you, sweet sister.
Praying for you today, Rochelle! Love to you, friend.
xoxo-Kaitlin
I am loving these readings and the deep, insightful, beautiful comments you all are writing! Thank you SRT staff and community. ❤️
One thing that stood out to me today is that Jesus was at the home of Simon the leper. As a leper, Simon was most likely shunned, marginalized, and an outcast of society. I am struck today by the fact that Jesus did not donate money to help find a cure for leprousy or simply bring Simon a meal then leave. He must have been intentional about building a relationship with Simon, spending time with him, ministering to him and getting to know him. Jesus was close enough to Simon the leper that his was the home Jesus chose to stay at. What a beautiful, loving, compassionate Lord we serve!! I am overwhelmed and convicted by this this morning. Do I invest in building relationships with the broken, marginalized, and outcast around me? Oh Jesus, help me to be more like you. To be filled with your love so that I can love others as you would!
In my translation it says: ‘who had been suffering from lepra’. So I think he was healed already. Marc states: ‘ he was having a feastmeal’ so more people where there.
Doesn’t means your insight is not right, but just wanted to mention it.
So many beautiful thoughts and comments today…I just want to sit at the feet of Jesus and soak it all in!
Everything in creation testifies to a Creator who delights in beauty for beauty’s sake.
Exactly.
Wow. What an act that Mary took that is still talked about generations later. Amazing to think about how much significance a bottle of perfume had.
http://www.in-due-time.com
Thankful for the comments today. This is a wonderful picture. Jesus gave everything for us. Mary placed everything at his feet. How reluctant I am to give everything, especially when you get hurt over and over. May the God that created all things beautiful strengthen me, so I can be a sweet savor.
Love that! Amen.
Give it up remember He will exchange it for a beautiful thing
One amazing thing to think about is that amount of perfume would’ve been very potent and lasted for days and days! Think about it. As he is brought before pilot. Perfume! As he is whipped and mocked. Perfume! As he is nailed to that tree. Perfume! The smell and sweet aroma of worship was with him the whole way through, even in the darkest and ugliest hours. That smell must’ve been a small blessing to him, reminding him of why he came. And it must’ve stopped many in their tracks, forcing them to ask again, who is this man??
Beautiful thought, Elizabeth.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful thought, Elisabeth. I never thought of the amount of perfume being poured onto Jesus and how that would last for days. That would last for what many thought of as his “last” days. I can only imagine the comfort He felt when He would get a wave of that smell, reminding Him of why and who He was sacrificing Himself for. Not only comfort, but reassurance of the people who do love Him, those who will come to know Him and those wanting to offer up all they have in thanksgiving. Thank you, Jesus, for your presence that serves as a strong perfume for us as a reminder that we are your children and that our relationship with you is everlasting.
Wow
How lovely. I enjoyed and will be thinking about this today.
I’ve heard teaching on this passage before that says that Mary’s jar of perfume was actually her dowry. Amazing to to think of the implications of her pouring that treasure, her hopes for her marriage and future life, out at Jesus’ feet!
Perfume is not meant to be hoarded but to be poured out, released.
My faith in Jesus my Savior is not meant to be hoarded but to be poured out, released. That the whole world, those in my little world, would know. May I be about my Father’s business today. Amen.
Amen my dear Sister! Let me go about our Father’s business as well.
How beautiful! Faith poured out and influencing all who are near.
I am constantly amazed how a very familiar verse can speak new things to me – the Word is living and active. Something I caught that I had never thought about before was Jesus’ comment, “The poor will always be with you and you can help them any time you want” The indignant ones who said this was a waste thought they were being very pious by being willing to sell the perfume and give it to the poor, an act all could see. I see Jesus’ response as a subtle reminder that we should be doing this any way and with humility.
Just yesterday the staff at our church was discussing this passage at our staff meeting. Our pastor brought to our attention the placement of this story in the events of Holy week. It comes before the suffering and crucifixion, before the Passover and their last supper together. This act of love Mary displayed really should be a echoed in our hearts this Easter season. If we miss loving Jesus and worshipping Him with all that we are and all that we have, we miss the heart of what Easter is all about. Romans 5:8 says “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Let’s remember to love Jesus above all. It’s our natural response to the amazing and lavish love poured out on us on the cross. Praying that we truly engage in worship this weekend and pour out ourselves as Mary did for our beautiful Saviour.
Thank you for this comment. Well said. I hope it settles in my heart.
Thank you SRT for this real time study of Holy Week. The focus and approach has helped me focus on what this week really was for Jesus. Thank you all for your post/comments, to see transparency and true searching and desire for Jesus is powerful to me. An encouragement when I feel so weak in my faith……I am not alone. Thank you Jesus for taking the pain and disrespect and hate of the world to save me. I pray to be more like you everyday.
Thanks for joining us, Anne! You are absolutely not alone. So glad we’re in this together!
xoxo-Kaitlin
“Everything in creation testifies to a Creator who delights in beauty for beauty’s sake. So many things that are beautiful didn’t need to be. And it was God who elected to make them that way”
I have never looked at the story of Mary pouring out perfume on Jesus’ feet in this way before. Yes, it’s been preached as an act of preparation for His death and burial, but never as an act of beauty, done simply for the fact that it’s beautiful. Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the simple things when we’re trying to draw deep theological meaning from a passage, but this was a good reminder for me that God delights in the simple and finds it beautiful. He colors the sky every morning and night just because the sight of it brings Him joy. He created wonderful smells just because they bring Him joy. He allows us to hear birds chirping just because their sound brings Him joy. He gives us succulent foods just because their taste brings Him joy. He does all things to get us to look up and place our eyes on Him, because He gets the most joy from us, the crown jewel of His creation.
Loved these thoughts this morning!
Yes!!!
Amen!!
You know when I read this it reminds me of the story of Martha and Mary. I’ve been reminding myself of that story all week, trying to figure out how to be a Mary, when in fact I am a Martha. And when I began to read this beautiful story of what Mary did, it only further pushes me to figure out how to be more of a Mary, rather than Martha. I want to sacrifice all I have to Jesus; time, perfume, love; but I don’t know quite how.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. I will be thinking about this for quite a while.
Maybe start by just praying for a transformation?
I wonder if trying to be Mary is missing the point. How she worshipped wasn’t the “typical” way to worship but Jesus said what she did was beautiful. Mary just doing Mary was beautiful! Do you! Do you in a way that is worshipful and I am convinced that Jesus will look at that and say, “Look, this is beautiful!”
Whoops, meant to reply to the original post! Sorry! :)
Yes, Jacki. Absolutely yes. This is so much the words in my heart.
Yea lovely very true
I wonder if trying to be Mary is missing the point. How she worshipped wasn’t the “typical” way to worship but Jesus said what she did was beautiful. Mary just doing Mary was beautiful! Do you! Do you in a way that is worshipful and I am convinced that Jesus will look at that and say, “Look, this is beautiful!”
Great insight Jackie, very encouraging.
Amen, Jacki.
Beautifully said! It’s not about striving to be who we are not but who He created us to be!! So freeing in a time when we always feel like we can’t measure up!
ware not but who
I agree with this! Martha gets bad rap, but she’s not so bad, or bad at all actually! I think the thing people point out when Jesus gently rebuked her, when Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and she was serving, was that she was complaining about it. She was comparing and complaining. That meal needed to be served, and I’m sure it was a blessing to all who were there. But I think it would have honored Jesus more if it had been served with a joyful spirit, not a “woe is me, I’m doing everything alone” spirit. Jesus is honored in many different ways of serving, but the trick is to do it humbly, with gratitude and joy.
Would I be willing to give up my perfume for Jesus? Would I be willing to give up all my fortunes, my earthy treasures, my entire salary? How much am I willing to give up for Jesus, the man who sacrificed his life for me? I have so much faith and confidence in Christ and when he posses a question like this to me I am reminded that I struggle with the comfort of my earthly possessions. Lord help me to have faith like Mary of Bethany.
*poses
Megan, I had the same thought as I was reading through. It sounds so natural, to want to give my all to Jesus. I say “yes” in my mind, but deep down, am I truly willing to give those things up? My earnings? My treasures? My life? We are called to drop everything to follow Him. To leave our worries at the foot of the cross. My prayer is similar to yours, that we will be more like Mary. More willing – more passionate – about our offerings. That our heart will not ache at the thought of giving what we are called to, but rather rejoice in the pleasing and we driven to do more. Hugs to you sister.
Very well said, Samantha!! Thank you for your words! This really challenged me this morning and I felt so convicted!
Love what you said. I have the same prayer.
It’s funny …but what came to mind as I read this was the last verse of In the bleak mid winter…
5. What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart….
I do not have an alabaster of perfume, nor to be fair, a whole load of sheep, nor have I any serious riches of this world, but indeed what I do have is my heart…my thankful and grateful heart…
Lord Jesus, I give you my heart I give you my soul, I live for you alone, every breathe that I take every moment I’m awake…May I be forever reminded and thankful for the walk you made this Holy Week for the love of us ….
Giving you my heart Lord Jesus… Thank you, thank you…
Happy Holy Week Wednesday, Sisters…Every blessing..xxx
Sunday is coming…x
Yes! Love this, Tina. What each of us brings to Jesus is, and may look, a little different- but regardless of what we externally give and how we go about doing it, it’s all about the posture of our hearts.
Amen! Thank you for sharing this, sister.
Oh, Tina, as always you make it practical and thought provoking. Thank you for your commentsyouryoucommentstthought
“Mary intentionally and deliberately offered Jesus everything she had.” That really struck me today and I want to do the same- not just have good intentions of living for Jesus and giving my all for him but to be intentional and deliberate about doing it.
It made me think of the hymn “When I survey the wondrous cross” and especially the last verse: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xLXx2CJ_drs
“Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Delighting in beauty for beauty´s sake – this was well said. I´m not familiar with cleaning habits during that time, but could it be (regarding the intense aroma of this costly perfume) that it still lingered in Jesus´hair when he was arrested, given the crown of thorns and being mocked? They took off his clothes, but they surely could´t remove a smell. If this was the case, the remnants of that beautiful smell could have spoken of his majesty in a very subtle way despite the visible signs that spoke of submission and defeat. Just a thought …
I love that thought!
oh wow! What a powerful thought!!!
I was thinking this too.. Beautifully said. And oh what a picture..
In response to. Marianne
Beautiful thought!!
I am so glad you mentioned that; I have never considered it. Powerful!
Thanks SRT for today’s message
Each time i study – Mark 14, I am reminded of giving God my all (time and time again)
also if you want to be great or desire something extraordinary – ‘give’ to God extraordinarily
Mary did and she was never forgotten!
Halleluyah.