HIGHLIGHT 

Mark 14:3–11 

“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. — Mark 14:8” 

EXPLAIN 

Wednesday of Holy Week is sometimes called ‘Silent Wednesday’ because there is no recorded public ministry of Jesus on this day. But sandwiched between the noise of the Temple controversies and the drama of the upper room, we find two quiet scenes that could not be more different. A woman breaks an alabaster jar of costly perfume and anoints Jesus as an act of reckless, extravagant devotion that Jesus calls a memorial for all time. And in another room, Judas meets with the chief priests and agrees to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. Same week. Same Jesus. Radically different responses. As you write, sit with that contrast and write in your response which character you recognize in yourself. 

APPLY 

Devotion and betrayal can look similar from the outside because both involve proximity to Jesus. The difference is what we treasure. The woman treasured Jesus more than her costliest possession. Judas treasured something else more than Jesus. Today is a day to quietly examine what you treasure. 

RESPOND 

• What is your ‘alabaster jar’? What is the costly thing you have been reluctant to break open for Jesus? 

• The disciples were indignant at the woman’s act, calling it ‘waste.’ When has extravagant devotion to God been misread by others (or by you) as foolishness? 

• Judas was one of the Twelve closest to Jesus, present for miracles, trusted with the money. How does his betrayal challenge the assumption that proximity equals genuine devotion? 

• What does it mean to do ‘what you can’ with what you have, as Jesus praised this woman for doing? 

REFLECTION & PRAYER 
Begin this time by sitting quietly for two minutes. After sitting quietly, do the following: 

• Ask God: What is my ‘alabaster jar’? What costly thing am I holding back from You? 

• Pray for a spirit of extravagant devotion…the kind that others might call foolish. 

• Examine your motivations today: Are you near Jesus out of devotion or habit? Ask God to rekindle genuine love. 

• Close by praying: “Jesus, I want to be the kind of person who breaks open what is costly for You. Search my heart for what I am holding back. I surrender it today. Amen.”