Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Good morning!
A study of Holy Week provides great insight to the depth of love God and Christ had/has for mankind. Jesus Christ knew from the very beginning of his ministry the plan God had designed, one which would create a pathway of redemption and salvation, and the role He would fulfill in that plan. His obedience to the Father is a reminder to each of us that obedience to God’s will results in tremendous victory.
While Christ had to endure the cross, His obedience resulted in victory over death. Here is what Paul shared about Christ’s victory: “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross: Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11) Great victory awaits those who are obedient to God!
Wednesday of Holy Week is often referred to as “Silent Wednesday” because most agree the gospels do not record any activity by Jesus. However, things were taking place. According to Matthew, it was on Wednesday the chief priests and the elders devised a scheme to arrest and kill Jesus.
Many also believe it was on Wednesday when Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests agreeing to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. There are others who believe that arrangement was made on Tuesday as we shared yesterday. The universal truth is that Judas agreed to betray our Savior. Whether that meeting with the elders occurred on Tuesday or Wednesday is not as significant as the event itself.
There are also those who suggest that it was Silent Wednesday when Jesus was at the home of Simon the Leper. (Matthew 26:6-14) During that visit Mary, the sister of Lazarus, came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Christ’s feet, wiping his feet with her hair. It is interesting that John records in chapter 12 that event occurred six days before the Passover feast. So, there is debate over when exactly that event occurred. It is possible Jesus was having a flashback of that event on Wednesday and it is possible it occurred on Wednesday. Allow me to share this thought: the primary purpose of the gospel writers was to give an accurate account of Jesus’ message, not to record an exact chronological account of His life. John also records that “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (21:25)
So, what did happen on Wednesday? If you would grant me the freedom to speculate, allow me to share some thoughts. I think it is possible that Christ, knowing what was about to happen on Thursday and Friday spent His day preparing Himself, personally, for what He was about to experience.
I think it is possible he spent some time reflecting on the many things God had allowed Him to accomplish throughout His short three-year ministry. He could have easily had some flashbacks of specific events, especially those that would have served as preludes to His death, crucifixion and resurrection, like the anointing of the alabaster perfume on His feet.
I think it is highly possible that He would have wanted to spend some time with those closest to Him, knowing they were about to be separated from each other as a result of His crucifixion. I also think it is highly possible that He would have spent some time reflecting on the Passover and the supper He would be sharing with His disciples, a meal that would institute the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.
I cannot help but think these things would have captured His thoughts on Wednesday. Luke recorded that: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” and this would have been His last opportunity to spend reflection time with His disciples and His heavenly Father. I can imagine it was truly a day of solemn prayer and reflection.
He knew that Thursday would usher in a series of events resulting in His death on the cross. Surely, He would have needed some time to process what was about to happen!
Jimmy Slick