Today’s Reading
Psalm 125 • Matthew 26–27
Scripture Focus
“Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.”
— Psalm 125:1–2 NLT
“As you know, Passover begins in two days,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
— Matthew 26:2 NLT
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Reflection
How secure God’s people truly are. Psalm 125 reminds us that those who trust the Lord stand firm like Mount Zion—unmovable, protected, and surrounded by God Himself. Yet in Matthew 26–27 we see how differently people respond to that security. Some believe… others miss it completely.
One woman—Mary—saw what others ignored. She stepped past the expectations of society, past the room full of men, past the opinions around her, and poured out everything she had on Jesus. Why? Because she believed Him.
She heard His words about His coming death and she understood, at least in part, what He was about to do.
“She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.”
— Matthew 26:12
And then there was Judas.
He walked with Jesus, witnessed the same miracles, heard every teaching—yet never surrendered his heart. He saw Jesus, but didn’t see Him. He followed physically but not inwardly.
“The Son of Man must die… but how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him.”
— Matthew 26:24
Even with that clear warning, Judas would not turn. His heart remained chained to greed, fear, and sin. He knew Jesus was innocent—his own words confess it (Matthew 27:4)—yet he still betrayed Him.
And in the middle of all this, we hear Jesus speak:
“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”
— Matthew 26:38
We forget sometimes what He felt.
The Almighty, all-powerful God was about to be handed over… humiliated, beaten, pierced, and crushed—because of human sin, because of our weakness, because we could never save ourselves.
And even His closest disciples fell asleep.
Their spirit was willing, but their flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41).
That is us. Human nature—weak, fragile, easily swayed, desperately in need of Him.
Reading Matthew 27 for the first time was overwhelming for me.
The weight of it all hit me: this was happening to Jesus because of me.
Because of my sins.
Not His.
That was the moment my heart truly surrendered.
When I understood this was not just a story—it was my salvation.
He deserved all of me. Nothing less.
Mary understood that when she broke open her costly perfume and poured it over Him.
She gave her best. Her worship cost her something.
And that’s the difference:
•Some trust Him and give Him everything.
•Others hear Him, but never yield.
•One heart pours out love.
•Another heart holds onto sin.
Only one finds the security of Psalm 125… the security of those who trust in the Lord and will never be defeated.
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Lesson for Me
Jesus sees the heart behind every response to Him.
Mary reminds me that true devotion costs something—it requires humility, surrender, and love that is willing to break the “expensive” things in my life for Him. Judas reminds me that it’s possible to be close to Jesus outwardly yet far from Him inwardly. And Matthew 26–27 reminds me that my flesh is weak, but Jesus willingly stepped into suffering to save me from my fallen nature. My security doesn’t come from my strength; it comes from trusting the One who surrounds me like the mountains around Jerusalem. I want to live like Mary—giving Jesus my all.
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Application Questions
1.Where do I see Mary’s example in my own walk? What is the “costly perfume” in my life that the Lord is asking me to pour out before Him?
2.Do I ever respond like the disciples—my spirit willing but my flesh weak? What habits or distractions keep me from watching and praying?
3.Is there any area where I’m holding back like Judas? Something I know but have not surrendered?
4.How does meditating on Jesus’ grief, suffering, and sacrifice change the way I worship Him today?
5.Psalm 125 says I am secure, surrounded, unshaken. How should that truth shape my choices, my emotions, and my trust in God this week?
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🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for loving me enough to enter suffering for my sake. When I read Matthew 26–27, I feel the weight of what You carried—and I know it was because of my sin, not Yours. I want to be like Mary, giving You my best, offering You everything with a heart of love and devotion. Help me watch and pray, even when my flesh is weak. Protect me from the traps of fear, greed, or self-will that led Judas astray.
Surround me with Your presence like the mountains around Jerusalem. Make my heart secure in You, firm and unshaken.
I surrender myself to You again today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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📝 Journaling Reminder
Take a few minutes to sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask Him:
“Lord, what part of this message is for me today?
What do You want to change, strengthen, or highlight in my heart?”
Write down whatever the Holy Spirit speaks—any conviction, comfort, or direction He places on your heart.