Holy Week - Day Four

Wednesday - Rest in Bethany

Note: No events are specifically recorded for this day. It is assumed that Jesus spent the day in Bethany. You may continue to use parables on Day 3 or discuss later verses, such as Mary anointing the Savior and Judas bargaining for the betrayal of Christ (both are scriptural accounts found at the end of the reading text for Day 3).

Prophecy: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).

Family Discussion: Show them the thirty pieces of silver. Explain that thirty pieces of silver was the price commonly paid for the life of a male slave. Use the following questions to discuss Judas’ betrayal: Why did the Pharisees set this price? Would it have mattered to Judas how much money had been offered? Has Jesus ever been betrayed since then (by Peter denying him 3 times)? What has been the price?

Suggested Activity:

• While reading and discussing the Parable of the Ten Virgins, burn two lamps: one filled with oil and another containing only a very little oil. Turn off all other lights and burn both lamps until the foolish virgin's lamp burns out. 
• Act out the play "The Parable of the Ten Virgins" listed below:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins Play

Cast: Narrator; Wise Virgins (up to five); Foolish virgins (up to five); Bridegroom; Members of the wedding party with the Bridegroom; Midnight crier; Oil Merchant(s)

Props: Lamps (homemade lamps, fancy jars, or paper cut-outs); Extra oil containers (cruets, bottles, jugs); Scarves, jewelry, etc. to be worn by the virgins; Robe andhat to be worn by the bridegroom; A "turban" and robe for the oil merchants; A door to be closed upon the foolish virgins

Narrative of Events:

1. The ten virgins wait with lighted lamps outside the bridegroom's house for his arrival. Of the virgins, half are designated "wise" and carry an extra supply of oil with them. Half are "foolish" and have chosen to bring only their lamps (see Matthew 25:1-4)

2. The bridegroom is later than expected and the virgins fall asleep while waiting for him (see Matthew 25:5).

3. At midnight, a cry is heard, announcing the bridegroom's arrival (see Matthew 25:6).

4. Each virgin awakens and trims her lamp (adjusts the wick and oil level to maximize the lamplight) (see Matthew 25:7).

5. The foolish virgins vainly attempt to borrow extra oil from the wise virgins because their lamps have run out of oil (see Matthew 25:8).

6. The wise virgins direct the foolish virgins to run and buy more oil from the oil merchants (see Matthew 25:9).

7. While the foolish virgins are gone buying more oil, the bridegroom comes with the rest of the wedding party. He opens the door of his house, and the wise virgins enter his house with him. The bridgegroom closes the door after them (see Matthew 25:10).

8. The foolish virgins come back and ask to be let into the house. The bridegroom denies them admittance (see Matthew 25:11-12).