04/01/2026
Below is the Wednesday edition of our Easter Week timeline devotional:
In September of 2022, Queen Elizabeth II of England died, ending the longest reign of any British monarch (70 years, 214 days). In the succeeding days, we watched as the established plans were put in motion to memorialize and mourn the queen. Those plans, “Operation London Bridge” and “Operation Unicorn,” (in case the queen died in Scotland) began in the 1960s and were updated three times each year through meetings of government officials, police representatives, and the broadcast media.
As we continue our look through this all-important week in our Saviour’s life, we sense that the tension of the events and people involved continues to increase. John 5:18 tells us that the Jewish religious leaders began scheming to kill Jesus shortly after the start of His public ministry. Jesus told His disciples several times prior (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19) that He would suffer in Jerusalem, die, and rise again. Now in Matthew 26, we see four different preparations for the death of the King of kings.
First, Jesus again prepares His disciples. He is on a divine timetable, not one plotted by human devices. At the exact right time, Jesus would be offered as the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). Jesus’s death is the ultimate Passover story! In His mercy and grace, Jesus reminds His disciples of what is coming, even when they might not have been giving it their full attention.
Second, the Sanhedrin prepare to kill the King they rejected. This group, consisting of “the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people,” have been attempting to oppose Jesus at every turn and to trip Him up in His words. In Matthew 22:46, the Bible tells us they stopped their unfruitful attempts, and in Matthew 23, Jesus gives a stinging rebuke aimed at them and their false spirituality. Now, this group gathers at the high priest’s palace to scheme how they might deceitfully take Him and kill Him. Although they believe they right and they are in control, God is using them to bring about His perfect plan!
Third, Mary acts in faith by preparing for Jesus’ death. Using our cross-references, we learn from John 12 that this event took place four days prior. But what Mary does is such a stark contrast to these other preparations; hers was an act of love, reverence, and faith! Mary made a worship decision. Mary gave what was likely her most expensive earthly possession, a costly perfume often saved for a wedding ceremony, and in faith, anoints Jesus’ body before His death, believing what He has been telling His followers. And while the disciples, led by Judas, declare this act a waste, Jesus rebukes the disciples and honors Mary’s devotion.
Fourth, Judas prepares to betray the Lord. Again, John gives us some background on Judas’ actions in Matthew 26:14-16. When Judas questions Mary’s gift, asking why it was not sold and given to the poor, God provides insight (John 12:6); “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” But in Matthew 26:15, Judas shows his true motivation as he approaches the chief priests: “And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” Judas provides a striking example of a forsaken opportunity (v.16), “And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”
From each of these preparations, we learn what Jesus was worth to these people. To the disciples and their flawed understanding, to the religious leaders blinded by pride, and to Judas in his greed, Jesus didn’t match THEIR expectations, didn’t fulfill what THEY wanted, or what THEIR preference was. But to Mary, Jesus was everything He claimed to be, and He was worthy of her giving, devotion, and worship.
These events, of just one week in history, should help us evaluate our own motives, expectations and desires. Do we live our Christianity for self, for our desires, as if our life is not really about Christ but about us …or are we willing to give everything in our lives, devote everything valuable to us, to the One who has been betrayed, beaten, crucified, and risen again? This week, let’s choose to be honest with ourselves and allow God to help us see when we are driven more by our opinions and selfishness instead of by our love and devotion to Christ.
