The King’s Preparation

Summary: While the world plots His destruction and Judas calculates His price, Jesus calmly prepares His disciples for the end. From the burial oil at Bethany to the Cup of the New Testament in the Upper Room, Jesus is the one in control, turning the instruments of His death into the means of our life.

Today’s Readings

Gospel (The Passion): Matthew 27:11–54

The Suffering Servant The mood shifts from the gates of the city to the pavement of Pilate’s court and the hill of Golgotha. Jesus stands silent before His accusers, is mocked by soldiers, and is crucified between two thieves. The reading reaches its climax at His death, when the curtain of the temple is torn in two, the earth shakes, and even a Roman centurion is forced to confess: "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Psalm 105: 1-11

Thought for the Day

The Cost of the Cup

Lent midweeks are often about "counting the cost," and Matthew 26 gives us two very different ledgers. On one side, we see Judas valuing the Son of God at thirty pieces of silver. On the other, we see a woman "wasting" a fortune in ointment to honor a King who is about to die.

But the real "cost" is found at the table. As Jesus institutes the Holy Supper, He reveals that the price of the "forgiveness of sins" is His own Body and Blood. He takes the old Passover—the meal of a people fleeing slavery—and becomes the Lamb who stays to face the slaughter. We start our midweek journey here: at a table where the King gives everything away for free to those who have nothing to offer but their need.

"Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." — Matthew 26:27–28