We now come to Wednesday. Compared to the previous three days, this day is quiet. But, not in a good way. The religious leaders have given up trying to publicly discredit Jesus, or trap him in his words. Realizing they don’t have the people on their side, they gather in private, determined to find a way to quietly end his life. (Matthew 26:3-5) Little could they imagine the person who would later show up to help them.
Meanwhile, Jesus is in Bethany at the house of Simon. While he is there reclining at the table, a woman comes in and anoints his head with expensive perfume. We read the account in Mark 14.
Mark 14:3-6
While he was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head. But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they began to scold her.
Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing for me.
Jesus goes on to say that this anointing was preparation for his burial. Her extravagance wasn’t a waste. It was worship. She valued her Savior so much that her radical act of generosity was given seemingly without a second thought. And this act of sacrifice would be told wherever the gospel is preached. But for some, it was too much. Initially, several became indignant because this could have been sold and given to charity. They instantly recognized the worth of this gift and its potential impact. Some estimate that the amount could support a family for nearly a year. She was willing to give practically everything. But for one person, a line was crossed in his heart. In fact, his heart had long been hardened. This becomes clear when we find out he had been stealing from his fellow disciple’s finances. (John 12:6) Judas leaves and heads straight to the Chief Priests. But he doesn’t offer up Jesus right away. First, he sees how he can profit off betraying Jesus. The price? 30 pieces of silver. The contrast between how this woman and Judas valued Jesus was on clear display.
The religious leaders have the missing piece they have been looking for. Because Judas has sold Jesus out, they no longer have to wait. Their plans can now be accelerated. While the biblical narrative of today’s events doesn’t seem as numerous or as dramatic as Sunday-Tuesday’s, they do set the stage for what begins to happen tomorrow and Friday.