Holy Wednesday provides some unique opportunities for prayer and reflection. It marks the day that Jesus was betrayed in a terrible way, which led to the events we usually associate with Easter (the betrayal in the Garden, the crucifixion, the empty tomb).
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What is Holy Wednesday?
In Holy Week, each of the eight days commemorates events from Jesus’ week in Jerusalem, including his resurrection. Palm Sunday marks when the people of Jerusalem cut palm leaves and welcomed Jesus and his disciples into Jerusalem. Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday mark Jesus’ teachings in Jerusalem, clearing the temple, cursing a fig tree, rebuking hypocritical leaders, and prophesying about “wars and rumors of wars” when Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Holy Wednesday marks the day when Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume, wiping it with her hair. Judas (and other disciples) rebuked her for wasting the perfume, but Jesus defended her. After this event, Judas went to the religious leaders and offered to betray Jesus to them. Because it’s the day we remember Judas agreeing to spy on Jesus, it is sometimes called Spy Wednesday.
The next day, Maundy Thursday, marks when Jesus held the Last Supper and Judas betrayed him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Good Friday marks when Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday marks the day when he rose from the dead and left his tomb.
Holy Wednesday Bible Passages to Pray and Meditate On
All four of the Gospels mention Judas’ betrayal, although some versions take very different focuses. Holy Wednesday is not only a great time to re-read these passages for the information. It is also a great time to meditate on these passages during your morning devotions and other prayer exercises.
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:6-16 NIV
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.” While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 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. Mark 14:1-11 NIV
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:1-6 NIV
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:1-8 NIV
10 Bible Verses to Pray on Holy Wednesday
These Bible verses are not about the events of Holy Wednesday, but they touch on its themes of betrayal, community, greed, generosity, and devotion. You can work these verses into your prayers, meditate on them as part of a prayer exercise, or pray that God helps you avoid the sins mentioned in these verses.
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Psalm 41:9 NIV
“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.” Psalm 55:12-14 NIV
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 NIV
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” Psalm 119:36 NIV
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:17-18 NIV
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This, too, is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
10 Contemporary Holy Wednesday Prayers
These prayers are based on lessons from the Holy Wednesday Bible passages, showing us things to ask for based on its themes.
Lord,
Thank you for having a special place in your heart for the downtrodden, forgotten, and frowned-upon. In a time when you entered Jerusalem like a king, you chose to stay at a leper’s home. Help me see those around me who are struggling with disease, show them value by spending time with them, and bless them in whatever way I can.
Amen.
Lord,
As you were heading toward your crucifixion, you could have easily withdrawn from other people. Instead, you stayed with old friends in Bethany, took part in a dinner they made for you, and used their surprising generosity as a moment to teach and comfort others. You made time for your community in the most challenging time of your life. Help me take time for my community when I’m tempted to withdraw. Show me how to engage with the people you have brought into my life, to be a blessing presence in their lives.
Amen
Lord,
As Mary poured the expensive perfume on you, she did something extravagant. Help us remember that we often appear to be giving foolishly when we do things for you. We give when it’s hard to see what we are getting back. We give in ways that involve us being vulnerable. Our vulnerability may shock others. Give us the courage always to love you in extravagant ways.
Amen
Lord,
In the same way that showing our love for you can be a risky action, loving others often feels risky. Help us to follow Mary’s example and love others unashamedly. Show us how to give love when it may be embarrassing and show charity and affection when it’s easier to look away. Make us into surprising agents of mercy, people who love others well and go beyond expectations.
Amen
Lord,
We have all been given different personalities and gifts, and each of us gives in ways that may surprise others. Teach us not to judge quickly but to be open to what others’ generosity can teach us. Grant us the humility to learn from what may seem foolish at first. Help us grow in fellowship, to encourage each other to grow in our particular kinds of giving.
Amen
Lord,
As you spent time with friends in Bethany, your enemies were gathering on the horizon. We know that the world will hate us as it hated you and that we will experience much unexpected suffering in this life. Give us alertness that we may see the dangers around us. Give us wisdom that we will know how to handle those dangers. Show us always how to be wise as snakes, yet innocent as doves.
Amen
Lord,
We know that you number our days, that you can work good even from evil situations, and have plans that defy our understanding at the time. When threats rise around us, help us see whether these are threats to fight against or threats you are redirecting for some mysterious purpose. As Jesus trusted your will during Holy Wednesday, even as dangers rose around him, help us trust in you.
Amen
Lord,
We know that in the same way that Judas criticized Mary for anointing your feet, people will be quick to criticize us when we do good things that seem extravagant, that upset their standards. Give us the bravery to stand up for fellow believers when they are unjustly mocked. Guide us to be brave defenders of our fellow believers and our faith.
Amen
Lord,
While we may not be guilty of Judas’ particular sins, we all have moments where someone else’s good actions remind us of our vices. We may see people who forgive easily and realize how quick we are to hold grudges. We may see people who are generous with their time and realize how little time we have for anyone but ourselves. Whatever our vices or weaknesses may be, they are things that we need to turn over to you. Open our ears to hear when you ask us to let vices go. Give us the humility to admit secret areas of selfishness. Bring others into our lives who can give wise advice and point out our weaknesses before they become repetitive behaviors that control us.
Amen
Lord,
We know that money is not the root of all evil, but is the root of all kinds of evil. It’s hard to resist the temptation to take a little and then do drastic things to hide our theft. Guide us to avoid Judas’ weakness and refuse the temptation of mammon. Grant us the strength to turn away from greed, even if others think we are being harsh on ourselves. Teach us to put our stock in heavenly things rather than things of this earth.
Amen.
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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