Dear Christian friends:

Jesus did not do much on Wednesday. He did not leave Bethany and go to Jerusalem with His disciples as He had done on Monday and Tuesday. He did not teach all day in the Temple as He had done on Monday and Tuesday. He stayed at Simon's home in Bethany and rested and made plans for Thursday and Friday, His last two days.

Jesus had many things to do on Thursday and Friday to finish His saving work, to fulfill all the writings of the prophets. He must think and make careful plans. He must pray, so that He doesn't listen to Satan's temptations. He must do His Father's good and gracious will exactly.

However, out text tells of three important things that happened on Holy Wednesday. In Mark 14:1-2 we read,

"Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.
“But not during the festival,” they said, "or the people may riot.""

The Jewish Council planned to arrest Jesus and condemn Him to die "by craft." They intended to bring false charges against Him. The knew that Jesus had broken no laws, not Caesar's law or God's law. They know that the common people respected Jesus. So they plan to arrest Him at night while the people are sleeping and have a quick trial bringing false charges. This meeting and planning of the Jewish Council happened on Holy Wednesday.

Connected with the Council meeting we read in Mark 14:10-11,

"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over."

So now the stage is set for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday! God is using the evil plan of the Jewish Council and one disciple to make happen His good and gracious plan to save the world through the innocent suffering and death of His Son, Jesus Christ!

One other thing happened on Holy Wednesday. We read about that in Mark 14:3-9, the dinner at Simon the leper's house. Mary and Martha, who also lived at Bethany, cooked and served the meal for Jesus and His disciples. Lazarus, their brother, also sat at the table eating with Jesus and His disciples, and Simon. A few days before Jesus had raised Lazarus from death.

While they were eating Mary poured sweet smelling perfume on Jesus' head. Why? Jesus says, "She is come before I die to anoint my body for burial." (Mark 14:-8) Mary shows her faith in Jesus and her love for Him. Several times before Jesus had told His disciples and all His friends that,"He must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be crucified and then arise from death on the third day." Mary believed Jesus' prophecy about His death and resurrection. So she anoints His body before that happens. Mary also believed in Jesus and loved Him very much because He had raised her brother, Lazarus, from death.

Mary is a good example for us during this Holy Week. We need to have faith in Jesus the same as Mary. We also need to love Jesus the same as Mary, and show our love by bringing a precious gift to Him!

That sweet smelling oil which Mary broke and poured on Jesus' head was worth three-hundred pence. Three-hundred pence is what a common worker could earn in one year! Mary used one years wages to honor Jesus and to serve Him.

What we will do to show our love for Jesus this Holy Week and Easter? Maybe we can pledge $500 or $1,000 or $1500, for Alive In Christ offering!

Judas and some of the other disciples criticised Mary for doing that. (Mark 14:4-5) But Jesus told them to stop it and leave her alone. Jesus was very pleased with Mary's good work. He praised Mary and said that in the future whenever people read this gospel all over the world people will talk about Mary's love and service. That is true! Today we are talking about Mary's love and service.

If we do a good work for Jesus this Holy Week or Easter, Jesus will never forget it. He will proclaim it forever in heaven!

Let's not be greedy and a false disciple like Judas. Let's use our life, our talents and money on Jesus! Let's be a true disciple the same as Mary!

Amen.