Spy Wednesday

"Leave her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”
Mark 14:6-8

Tension in Jerusalem is at a boiling point. The religious leaders want Jesus dead. They are actively plotting to arrest Him in secret to avoid a massive public riot.

Meanwhile, Jesus is quietly dining in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper.

A woman approaches Jesus during the meal. She carries an alabaster vial of pure nard. This perfume costs a full year of wages. She breaks the vial and pours the expensive oil entirely over His head.

The room erupts in anger. The disciples fiercely scold her. They call her act a massive waste. They argue the perfume should have been sold to help the poor. They see the financial cost, but they completely miss the value of Christ.

Jesus quickly defends her.

This beautiful act of worship pushes Judas Iscariot over the edge. He leaves the dinner and goes straight to the chief priests.

Judas had walked with Jesus for three years. He had seen every miracle and heard every sermon.

Yet, he completely missed the heart of worship.

When faced with extravagant devotion, Judas chose pride, ego, and betrayal.

We face the same choice today. Will we offer our absolute best to Jesus, or will we view complete surrender as a waste?

Real worship costs us something.

Nothing given to Christ is ever wasted. It is an eternal investment.

Prayer:

Lord, give us a heart of pure worship. Keep us from the trap of pride and selfishness that ensnared Judas. We want to pour out our lives for You without holding anything back. Forgive us when we treat Your presence lightly. Lead us to trust You completely. Amen.