Wednesday
Steve McKenzie April 13, 2022

WEDNESDAY

SCRIPTURE | Luke 21:37-38, Mark 14:1-11

Luke 21:37-38

[37] And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. [38] And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

Mark 14:1-2

[1] It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, [2] for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

[3] And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. [4] There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? [5] For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. [6] But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. [8] She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. [9] And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

[10] Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. [11] And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT | 3 Responses To Jesus

Wednesday is like the eye of the hurricane. The initial force of the storm has passed following the triumphant entry on Sunday, the cleansing of the temple on Monday, and the conflict on Tuesday. Wednesday is quiet on the outside but the desire and motivation of people’s heart is laid bare.

  1. The religious leaders had made up their mind and their verdict was that Jesus was guilty and must die. Their only concern was not truth but the opinion of people so they discussed how to manage the situation according to their purpose to maintain power and authority.
  2. While the religious leaders reject Jesus, a woman comes to Jesus’ feet and pours out an offering valued at $80,000 today. This woman valued Jesus more than anything else in life.
  3. As day turned to night, Judas, a disciple of Jesus, was furious at the seemingly frivolous worship of the woman and decided to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, valued at $420 today.

 

 

APPLICATION & PRAYER

What do you value most today? In your heart of hearts if you could have power & authority, unlimited wealth, or Jesus – what would you choose?

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal anything that you value more than Jesus? Confess this God and ask for his strength to help your heart rest in Him.