Holy Wednesday
by Pastor Gene
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!
PRAYER POINT
If quiet time alone with God was so important to the Lord Jesus, shouldn’t it be more important to us? Search your heart and your schedule. What priority do you give to time alone with God? Ask for God’s help to rework your priorities in such a way that you are more available to hear the gentle blowing of God’s voice.
In the One who laid it all down for us,
P. Gene
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As I reflect this morning before the sun rises outside my door I see the dark but know there is light coming up to illuminate the sky- just as sure am I that the SON will one day return and forever illuminate the heavens – the one true light – we will not need the sun for we will have the SON!
Ressurecting Me
The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now
The Saviour knelt to wash our feet
Now at His feet we bow
The one who wore our sin and shame
Now robed in majesty
The radiance of perfect love
Now shines for all to see
Your name Your name s victory
All praise will rise to Christ our King
Your name Your name is victory
All praise will rise to Christ our King
The fear that held us now gives way
To Him who is our peace
His final breath upon the cross
Is now alive in me
Your name Your name is victory
All praise will rise to Christ our King
Your name Your name is victory
All praise will rise to Christ our King
By a Your spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat
The resurrected King is resurrecting me
In Your Name I come alive to declare Your victory
The resurrected King is ressurecting me
The tomb where soldiers watched in vain
Was borrowed for three days
His body there would not remain
Our God has robbed the grave
OUR GOD HAS ROBBED THE GRAVE
YOUR NAME YOUR NAME IS VICTORY
ALL PRAISE WILL RISE TO CHRIST OUR KING
YOUR NAME YOUR NAME IS. ICTORY
ALL PRAISE WILL RISE TO CHRIST OUR KING
Those are beautiful words to that song. Thanks for sharing Joy. Regarding pastors analogy about driving by the gas pump only so many times before we have to stop and fill it. I like that a lot because it’s very true I mean how long realistically can I go on without spending my one on one time with Jesus and not feel a deficit if I don’t do that daily ?
This verse from Isaiah comes to mind “He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in thee.” (26:3)