Reading: Matt. 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11 and Luke 22:3-6
Wednesday of Holy Week was a dark day. There is not much recorded. The only sources I have had me read the short passages listed above. We will look at Luke.
“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:3-6 ESV
I have been known to say to myself as well as to others. “sometimes things get worse before they can get better.” Well things are beginning to get worse. Even if behind the scenes at the moment. Jesus rode in on Palm Sunday on a donkey to shouts of Hosanna. He became angry in the temple and drove out the moneychangers, then He had a full day of teaching in the temple. Now one of his followers, one of his own people are about to betray him. For money no less. So where was Jesus? On this day when Judas is meeting with the chief priests to make a deal? We wonder where Jesus was. One of the commentaries I read suggested that He was resting because the day before had been such a full day. Taking a time out so to speak. Passover was coming and with it would come His last meal with His people before He would be betrayed and handed over. And whipped and beaten. And crucified. What a roller coaster of emotions this Holy Week must have been for Him.
This brings to mind 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Take note of the way Luke is describing this ~ “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot”. You know Judas was a friend to Jesus. He was there for the miracles. He was there for the camaraderie that must have existed among this group of men who travelled and ministered together. He would have been there when fish and bread multiplied and pigs plunged to their death and when Lazarus walked out of a grave alive when he had been dead for three days already. But still Satan found a way in to him. He let his guard down somewhere and Satan entered into him so that he could betray Jesus, his friend.
I tend to feel my emotions a little all over the radar during this week and this season. For the past few years I really like to take the time to focus on the week and just think about what was happening in the world at that time and what is happening in my world in the present. What emotions was Jesus having that week? He was spending time with the people closest to him. All the while He knew what was coming. When I think about what was coming for Him AND that He knew, I realize that I probably don’t always need to know. I will think I do. I will drive myself crazy about what is coming next in whatever situation that is at hand. When what I need to do is just keep clinging to the One who knows. The one who is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). I think we are called to be diligent, be sober minded, to realize we have an adversary and he does prowl the earth and he does want to devour us. But God is still in control. He is still here. He is on the throne and even when we can’t see Him. He is working all things out for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28].
Restore 