Holy Wednesday: Everyone’s on Edge
John 12:23; 14:1
Thank you for joining us for Day 4 of Tables, Tears, and Triumph, a devotional through Holy Week.
Imagine you were walking with the apostle John. We believe his perspective would have looked something like this:
It’s Wednesday. Hump day. We’re only in the middle of it, but it’s been a wild week so far. Ever since arriving in Jerusalem, everything feels amped up. The energy. The crowds. The support from those who appreciate what Jesus has been doing. The antagonism from those who oppose everything that Jesus stands for and represents. It seems like everyone’s on a heightened alert status. It’s eerie. But it definitely feels like things can’t continue like this.
And it’s Jesus too. Jesus is doing and saying things that are increasingly alarming. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Although I’m used to him saying cryptic things like this, this week it feels a little more real. In fact, Jesus invited us to a special Passover meal tomorrow night. He seems especially eager to share this meal with us. I wonder what he’s got planned? Maybe he’s finally going to reveal how and when he will finally assume his rightful place as king! Maybe that’s behind the strange energy and sayings.
But it’s not just Jesus, there’s also a few in our group who’ve been acting a little odd. And no one seems to have a firm grasp on some of the things Jesus is saying. Peter’s been doubling down on how willing he is to show his loyalty to Jesus. And don’t get me started on Judas. He constantly scurries away meeting people in the shadows.
So it’s been an interesting week for sure. Everyone’s on edge. We don’t know what lies ahead. But if there’s anything I’ve learned while following Jesus, it’s that life can be filled with uncertainty. There will be days when fear and anxiety grab hold of my heart, but that’s when I try to remember something Jesus once said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Jesus has always been trustworthy, so I won’t stop trusting him now, no matter how crazy things may be!
Commentary:
Tension had indeed reached a boiling point for the religious leaders. Their resentment and jealousy of Jesus had been building throughout his ministry. On multiple occasions, they discredited Jesus’s authority and teachings. They attempted to trap him through cleverly crafted questions around the law, credited his miracles to demonic power, and criticized him for associating with sinners and tax collectors. They simply could not accept Jesus as the son of god, the messiah. Instead, they believed him to be a false prophet and a threat to Judaism.
In fact, the day before, on Tuesday, the religious leaders had plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. However, fearing the multitudes would riot, they determined to wait until after the Passover festival.
Now today, Wednesday, Judas, one of Jesus’s twelve disciples, approaches the religious leaders and offers to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. And with that, a plan was set in motion.
“From then on he (Judas) began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” (Matt 26:16)
For reflection:
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of circumstances that don’t make sense?
What have you learned about trusting Jesus through these times?
