Wednesday of Passion Week: Quiet Plans and Costly Worship
As we reach Wednesday of Passion Week, the pace of the week shifts. While Monday and Tuesday were filled with public teaching, confrontation, and prophetic actions, Wednesday is more quiet—but no less important. In fact, it’s a day that shows the stark contrast between true devotion and deadly betrayal.
Plotting
Matthew 26:1–5 (ESV)
“When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.’”
Jesus clearly told His disciples that His death was imminent. The cross wasn’t a surprise or a mistake—it was God’s sovereign plan, and Jesus willingly walked toward it.
At the same time, behind closed doors, the religious leaders were making their move.
Matthew 26:3–4 (ESV)
“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered… and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.”
They feared the people, so they decided to wait until after Passover—but their plan would soon be accelerated by one of Jesus’ own.
This reminds us that God is fully in control—even when evil seems to be winning. Jesus wasn’t a victim – as Pastor Zad has brought out in our Mark sermon series. He was the willing Lamb of God, prepared to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
A Beautiful Act of Devotion
One of the most striking scenes of the week happens quietly in a small home in Bethany.
Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, John 12:1–8 (ESV)
While Jesus reclined at the table, a woman (identified in John as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus) came to Him with a flask of very expensive ointment. She broke it open and anointed Jesus, pouring it over His head (Gospel of Mark) and His feet (Gospel of John), wiping His feet with her hair.
This was an act of worship, love, and preparation.
Some of the disciples were indignant:
“Why this waste?” (Matthew 26:8)
But Jesus saw it for what it truly was.
Matthew 26:10,12–13 (ESV)
“She has done a beautiful thing to me… In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed… what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
We see this moment as a model of wholehearted worship—the kind that isn’t worried about cost or opinion. Mary’s giving reminds us that Jesus is worthy of our very best, not our vanity or leftovers.
The Betrayal Begins
Tragically, this beautiful moment is followed by one of the darkest.
Matthew 26:14–16 (ESV)
“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.”
While Mary was giving her treasure to Jesus, Judas was selling Him out for silver.
This contrast couldn’t be clearer. One person gave everything out of love and obedience, the other gave Jesus up for selfish gain. It’s a reminder that while we may have encounters with Jesus – that isn’t the same as faith in Jesus.
What Wednesday Teaches Us
- God’s plan is never out of control—even when evil, trial and hardship seem the reality.
- True worship involves sacrifice. When we see Jesus for who He is, our lives and treasure are His.
- Betrayal can come from the inside. It’s not enough to walk near Jesus—we must truly know Him.
- Jesus knew the cross was coming—and He continued preparation.
Reflection – It’s About the Heart
Wednesday may feel quieter in the Passion Week, but it reveals so much about the heart. Has it been changed by Jesus to obedience and worship, or is it still about self?
We’re called to be like Mary—giving our all to Jesus without holding back. And we’re warned not to let our hearts grow cold like Judas. The world may call our devotion, worship and giving to Christ “a waste,” but Jesus calls it “a beautiful thing.”
Let’s live in such a way that our lives and worship proclaims boldly to the world: Jesus is worthy.