Slices
Prepare
As you begin to read the Easter story, ask that God will speak to you in new ways as you ponder what may be familiar words. This is holy ground: tread reverently.
Bible passage
The plot against Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away – and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.’
Jesus anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 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.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. 9 ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’
Judas agrees to betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests 15 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. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Explore
Everything has been building up to this climax, and Jesus is not taken by surprise. He knows that the hour has arrived when he must go to the cross (v 2) and his death, as the Lamb of God, will coincide with the Passover feast.
The anointing at Bethany (vs 6–13) by an anonymous woman is an expensive act of sacrificial love, presumably an expression of gratitude for all that Jesus has done for her. Seen from a pragmatic perspective, it may be labelled extravagant, over the top and even wasteful (vs 8,9). Yet to Jesus it is a beautiful expression of devotion that ministers deeply to his soul at this crucial moment (v 13).
In contrast, the betrayal by Judas (vs 14–16) must pierce his heart deeply. As one of his inner circle, Jesus has only hours earlier washed his feet in loving servanthood. Now, for a paltry sum of money, Judas prepares to hand over his master. We wonder why.
Respond
How are you expressing your love for Jesus? It is easy to be cautious, restrained and circumspect in our response to him, but if we truly grasp the magnitude of his love for us, we may well be more extravagant and passionate, like this woman.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 17,18; Romans 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Senior Data Manager Gill Russell as she navigates complex challenges in data security, adapts to evolving technologies, and implements measures to protect against threats. These efforts are essential to ensuring these objectives are met in a cost-effective manner so that the mission of SU continues smoothly.
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.
