Read: Matthew 26:6-16
On Holy Wednesday, things start to take a darker turn, and evil plans are set in motion. We are given an inside glimpse into the hearts of some of Jesus’s closest friends—and as such, we catch a glimpse into our own hearts as well.
On this day, we remember Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas betrays Jesus to the chief priests, essentially sentencing him to death—something most of us couldn’t fathom doing to an innocent stranger, much less a friend. It’s easy to view Judas as the antagonist in the story when, really, Judas is the prime example of the reason we needed the cross at all. Sin so often gets the best of us, turning us into the worst of us. Sin so often entices us to give up Jesus in exchange for a lesser treasure.
But this isn’t the only exchange we witness on Holy Wednesday.
While Jesus is at a house in Bethany, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, sits at Jesus’s feet, breaks open an alabaster jar of perfume, and anoints her Savior with it. This jar of perfume was likely one of the most valuable assets Mary owned, roughly the equivalent of a year’s wages. The disciples criticized this lavish display, saying it was a waste and that the perfume could have been sold to help the poor. But Jesus is quick to defend her, telling them that she was preparing him for his burial, and that while the poor would always be there, he would not.
In this moment, we see the antithesis of Judas, a beautiful contrast to his betrayal. While Judas sacrifices Jesus for treasure, Mary sacrifices her treasure for Jesus.
Just a few years before these two paradoxical exchanges, during his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Jesus knew that our affections and priorities follow what we value most, be it fame, money, comfort—or, as in Mary’s case, a relationship with him.
Mary’s heart was with Jesus, and so sacrificing her precious perfume was worth the opportunity to anoint her Savior before his death. Mary exchanges her earthly treasures for a heavenly one, while Judas not only clings to his earthly treasures but betrays his friend to acquire even more. That is what sin causes us to do—it will always sacrifice Jesus for an idol. But a humble heart, one that recognizes the depth of our sin and the need of a Savior, does the opposite—it sacrifices the idol for the sake of Jesus.
Judas asks, “What are you willing to give me?”
Mary says, I am willing to give you everything.
This Holy Week, which statement are you resonating with?