We call it “Passion Week” – the week that began at Palm Sunday and ended with the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. The word “passion” comes from the Latin word which means “suffering.” To enhance your worship and appreciation for what Jesus did for us all, let’s follow Jesus through the Scripture during this most important week in human history and understand how the events of each day related to His substitutionary death and Glorious Resurrection.
It’s Wednesday, known as “Silent Wednesday”….It’s called that because the Gospels do not record any activity by Jesus on Wednesday. But, Judas was busy. Judas used this day to travel into Jerusalem to meet with the chief priests and elders about betraying Jesus. The Gospels record the meeting between Jesus and the chief priests. Read:
Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6
Think about what Judas had seen. He’d seen Jesus heal the sick, and raise the dead. But it wasn’t enough to overcome his greed and thievery. He still decided to betray our Lord. Why? Well, no one knows exactly why, but think about the following:
- On Saturday night before palm Sunday, when Jesus and the disciples were in Bethany staying with Mary and Martha, Jesus rebuked Judas sternly for criticizing Mary who anointed Him with expensive oil. (John 12:1-8);
- Jesus also did not fit Judas’ idea of a Messiah. The Jews of that time believed the Messiah would come in might, completely ignoring Old Testament Scripture like Isiah 53; and
- Luke reveals that Satan entered Judas before he met with the chief priests. (Luke 22:3). Mark and Luke reveal the chief priests gave Judas money, while Matthew explains that it was thirty pieces of silver.
Is there a lesson even in Judas’ betrayal for the Christian? You bet there is. It is a strong reminder that people can appear religious but still be lost. Judas looked devout – in fact, several disciples murmured agreement when Judas complained about the loss of expensive oil. But, he was lost – he had never accepted Jesus Christ as his true Lord and Savior. Today, we would call that “playing church.” The Bible warns us against this! Jesus requires that we surrender all to Him – and that He is more important to us than money, power, prestige, and anything else.
On Silent Wednesday, pray that God would reveal any area of your life where you have not totally surrender to Jesus. If there is such an area, confess your sin in failing to surrender, and repent. Surrender all to Jesus.