“And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” Read Full Chapter >>>

On Holy Wednesday, we find Jesus in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, just days before the cross. A woman enters—unnamed in Matthew’s account, but unforgettable in her devotion.

She brings with her an alabaster flask filled with very costly fragrant oil—and she pours it out upon Jesus’ head without hesitation.
But not everyone understands this act for what it is.

The disciples call it waste. “This could’ve been sold and given to the poor,” they protest—seemingly attempting to hide their discomfort with the woman’s unfiltered act of adoration behind the appearance of practical concern.

Jesus corrects them gently but firmly: “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.”
He reminds them (and us) that while there will always be opportunities to serve the poor, this moment was sacred.
Her anointing was not wasteful—it was prophetic. She had unknowingly prepared His body for burial.

Then Jesus says: “Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Think of that. Her story would be woven into the story of the cross itself—an eternal reminder that Jesus is worthy of our most costly offering.

But this moment of worship and honor is followed by betrayal.
Judas Iscariot leaves the table and goes to the chief priests. The one who had just witnessed this woman pour out all she had now sells the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32).

The woman gives everything for Jesus, but Judas gives Jesus up for the price of a slave.

How quick are we in our own lives to devote all we have for Jesus?
May we follow the example of this woman, who did not care what others might think or say, and let our lives be marked by this same kind of bold, sacrificial worship.
And may we not care more for the things of this earth, as Judas did, than for the One who is worthy of everything.