Countdown to the Cross - Holy Wednesday

Wednesday of Holy week is sometimes referred to as Silent Day or Spy Wednesday…Silent Day, because no record in the gospels specifically mentions Wednesday activities for Holy week. But there was a lot going on as Jesus prepares for the Last Supper and as Judas and the Sanhedrin prepare for Jesus’ arrest.

The big event of Holy Wednesday is Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Although the betrayal doesn’t take place for another day, scripture gives us insight about Judas’ intentions and it adds depth to our reading of the Last Supper, which we’ll encounter tomorrow. Here’s the short but crucial scene from Wednesday of Holy Week:

“Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” Matthew 26:14-16

Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave in those days. There is no doubt that Judas was enslaved by the devil. Luke tells us that “Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.” Luke 22:3. Judas didn't really know Jesus.

If so, he would have known peace.

Even though scripture is silent in regards to exactly what Jesus did this day, there’s one thing I know…Jesus knew exactly what Judas was doing. Silence doesn’t mean God doesn’t see. We know this because of Jesus’ words in Luke 22:21-22, “But behold, the hand of the one betraying me is with me on the table, For indeed, the son of man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

Jesus had already identified Judas as a ‘devil’ (John 6:70-71). Jesus clearly knew beforehand what the future held for Him. Nevertheless, Jesus also made it clear that He had chosen Judas to be in His group of disciples just as He had chosen the other eleven. This goes to show that it was all part of God’s plan. Satan was not conspiring against Jesus without Jesus knowing. Quite the contrary, nothing happens at all without God’s knowledge.

God knows us. God knows what’s going on around us. In these times remember this, If there is No Jesus, there is No Peace. But if you Know Jesus you know Peace. Remain in peace even when it seems God is silent.