Passion Week 2026 - Day 4, Part 1
Passion Week - Day 4, Part 1: Extravagant Love
April 1, 2026
Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13
'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.”'
Reflection:
Just days before the cross, Jesus reclined at a table in Bethany. While others
were eating and talking, Mary did something unexpected—she broke open a jar
of costly perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. Not his head like for a king, but His
feet—a sign of humility, worship, and deep devotion. Then, she wiped them with
her hair.
This moment was extravagant. Undignified. Intimate. And it was exactly what
Jesus needed.
Mary’s act wasn’t just emotional—it was prophetic. She was preparing His body
for burial, even if she didn’t fully grasp it yet. While others missed what was
coming, her love saw Him clearly. And Jesus said her story would be
remembered wherever the gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13).
Passion Week invites us into that kind of love. Extravagant. Costly. Undeterred
by the judgment of others. Mary wasn’t worried about what people thought—her
eyes were fixed on Jesus.
What’s one thing you could pour out before Him today? Time? Attention?
Worship? Forgiveness? Whatever you offer in love, He receives it as beautiful.
Prayer:
Jesus, like Mary, I want to bring You my best—not just what’s left over. Help me
love You with abandon, to worship You no matter who’s watching. Let my life be
a fragrance that brings You honor, especially as I remember the road You
walked to the cross. Amen.
'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.”'
Reflection:
Just days before the cross, Jesus reclined at a table in Bethany. While others
were eating and talking, Mary did something unexpected—she broke open a jar
of costly perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. Not his head like for a king, but His
feet—a sign of humility, worship, and deep devotion. Then, she wiped them with
her hair.
This moment was extravagant. Undignified. Intimate. And it was exactly what
Jesus needed.
Mary’s act wasn’t just emotional—it was prophetic. She was preparing His body
for burial, even if she didn’t fully grasp it yet. While others missed what was
coming, her love saw Him clearly. And Jesus said her story would be
remembered wherever the gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13).
Passion Week invites us into that kind of love. Extravagant. Costly. Undeterred
by the judgment of others. Mary wasn’t worried about what people thought—her
eyes were fixed on Jesus.
What’s one thing you could pour out before Him today? Time? Attention?
Worship? Forgiveness? Whatever you offer in love, He receives it as beautiful.
Prayer:
Jesus, like Mary, I want to bring You my best—not just what’s left over. Help me
love You with abandon, to worship You no matter who’s watching. Let my life be
a fragrance that brings You honor, especially as I remember the road You
walked to the cross. Amen.
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