Holy Wednesday is the Wednesday before the Easter Weekend. It is a day where we see true worship and love starkly contrasted against betrayal and false devotion.
On this day, we reflect on two very important biblical characters who made two very different choices that would be remembered forever.
First, we have Mary, who, without hesitation, broke open a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet before wiping them clean with her hair.
This moment was more than just a gift. It was an act of worship. Mary chose surrender. Her love for Jesus was more important and more valuable to her than money, pride, or opinion.
And second we have Judas Iscariot who slipped away to bargain with religious leaders, selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He traded his relationship with Jesus for a reward. He chose money over love. He chose greed over sacrifice.
The same Savior. Two responses. Two offerings.
Mary’s perfume and Judas’ silver represent the two choices every Christian will need to make: Will we give Jesus our everything, or will we sell Him out with half-hearted commitments, secret compromises, or a reluctance to follow and worship him when it costs us something?
Why This Matters Today
Judas spent three years with Jesus but never surrendered his heart, even though he saw the miracles and heard the teachings. In the end, greed took over, and his heart grew hard.
In contrast, Mary’s gift, which was ironically criticized by Judas as “wasteful”, was loved and appreciated by Christ.
Today’s Scripture
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here, a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
(John 12:1-8 – NIV)
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Today’s Affirmation
I choose love over greed. I choose surrender over self. My heart belongs to Jesus.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for showing me what true love and surrender look like. I want to be like Mary—willing to give You everything. Please help me not to hold anything back.
Forgive me for the times I’ve chosen comfort or self-interest instead of following You. Keep my heart soft. Teach me to worship even in difficult times, and to walk closely with You, no matter the cost.
Amen.
