Holy Wednesday

Today is Holy Wednesday (reckoned from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening).

There is no mention in Scripture of what Jesus did on the Wednesday of His final week. This day has often been called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this day that Judas conspired to betray the Lord Jesus.

And just how much was the Master worth to him? Judas agreed to hand Him over for a mere thirty pieces of silver, the price that would be paid for a gored slave in Old Testament times (Matthew 26:14; Exodus 21:32).

The prophecy which Judas fulfilled speaks of this “magnificent price” with biting sarcasm: “Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD” (Zechariah 11:13).

Jesus probably spent “Spy” Wednesday in Bethany, although we can’t be sure. With all of the details the Gospel writers provide about the other days of the week, their silence about Holy Wednesday seems to me a ROARING silence!

Event	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Sanhedrin plotted to kill Jesus	Jerusalem	26:1-5	14:1-2	22:1-2	—
Judas agreed to betray Jesus	Jerusalem	26:14-16	14:10-11	22:3-6	—

(Chart constructed by William Stewart)

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT TO CONSIDER FOR TODAY

Wednesday was apparently a quiet day for Jesus after being so busy the day before. It’s a good time for us to remember the value of making sojourns in solitude. Jesus often sought quiet in the midst of His busy ministry. Consider these verses:

Luke 5:15: “But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and great multitudes were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”

Mark 1:35: “And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.

What exactly is a “lonely place” or a “quiet place”? Simply put, a quiet place is a place where we can hear from God without distractions.

It is vital to take time to practice silence in the Lord’s presence:

Psalm 4:4: “Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.”

Job 6:24: “Teach me, and I will be silent; and show me how I have erred.”

Psalm 62:1: “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Psalm 63:6: “When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night watches, for Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy.”

The great value of quiet time is that in it we experience the very depths of God. The “lonely places” are where we refuel. Remember: we are lamps, not candles. Candles are self-contained and are disposable; there are no refillable candles. Lamps, however, depend upon another for trimming and refilling. The supply is external. While candles will burn out, lamps may burn out! Quiet time is like stopping by the gas pump. You can only drive past so many filling stations before the car simply stops!