The Hope of Holy Wednesday

Opening Prayer (from The Valley of Vision prayer book)

Old Testament Reading: Malachi 2:17-3:5 (The Messenger of the Lord)

[17] You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

[1] “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. [3] He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. [4] Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

[5] “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

Holy Wednesday Video (by Justin Taylor)

Holy Wednesday Prayer (from “Everyday Prayers” by Scotty Smith)

[READER 1]

A Prayer about the Main Question in Life

Dear Jesus, it’s Wednesday of Holy Week. The question you directed to the Pharisees, you still put before us: “What do you think about the Christ?” There’s no more important question for us to wrestle with in life. Continue to free us from all wrong notions we have about you—those generated in our fallen hearts; the ones that come to us from the father of lies, Satan; others that simply reveal the wrong and incomplete teaching we have received through the years.

But what do we think about you today, Jesus? What do we believe in our hearts? You are everlasting God, and we are mere humans. We would despair if you were anything less, and we are weary of trying to be more. You are the Creator, Sustainer, and Restorer of all things. You don’t just care about my soul; you care about everything you have made.

[READER 2]

You are the second Adam—our substitute in life and in death. You lived a life of perfect obedience for us, and you exhausted God’s judgment that stood against us. By you, we have been completely forgiven, and in you, we have received perfect righteousness. We humbly stake our lives and our death upon what you’ve done for us. Jesus, you are all this and so much more. Eternity will be an endless revelation of your glory and grace.

But this holy week, what stuns me the most is to realize you are always thinking about us. We are in your heart and on your mind all the time. You are always praying for us and advocating for us before the Father. You’re the One who knows us the best and loves us the most. With fresh gratitude and awe, we worship you. We make our prayer in your gracious name and for your everlasting glory. Amen.

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:37 - 22:6

Jesus Continues Teaching in the Temple (Luke 21:37-38)

[37] And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. [38] And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

The Plot to Kill Jesus (Luke 22:1-2)

[1] Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. [2] And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Judas to Betray Jesus

Judas to Betray Jesus (Luke 22:3-6)

[3] Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. [4] He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. [5] And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. [6] So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Holy Wednesday Reading (from ‘The Final Days of Jesus’ by Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor)

[READER 1]

Wednesday passes quietly—particularly when compared with the earlier city-shaking events of Sunday’s Triumphal Entry, Monday’s cleansing of the temple, and Tuesday’s temple controversies. Jesus continues his daily practice of traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem early to teach the people in the temple complex. There do not seem to be any recorded controversies, but Luke notes the rapt attention of the crowds who had come to hear Jesus teach. His authority, actions, and teaching have made him quite a celebrity in the eyes of the people. Not everyone is friendly, however. Jesus has a contingent of powerful and determined enemies.

[READER 2]

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each describe the murderous plotting of the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people “two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (Mark 14:1). Matthew informs us that this meeting took place in the “palace” of Caiaphas the high priest, in his private residence (Matt. 26:3). This elite group of Jewish leaders is representative of the Sanhedrin (though the text does not indicate that the entire Sanhedrin met at this time). They gather to brainstorm a way to kill Jesus by stealth in order to avoid a major uproar among the masses. The general consensus is that they must wait until after the Feast of Unleavened Bread (a weeklong festival ending on Nisan 21, Thursday, April 9th), when the crowds would disperse and return to their homes away from the city. At this point, they would be free to arrest and kill Jesus without fear of inciting a revolt. They are willing to bide their time because they know—or think they know—that they are in positions of power and authority and that if they wait for the right time to dispense with Jesus, they will win in the end. Their mind is made up, and their verdict has been rendered.

Reflective Questions

It’s easy for us to point the finger at Judas and judge his betrayal of Jesus. However, the truth is that we have all betrayed Jesus as all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Think about the ways you have betrayed Jesus this week. As you do, repent of that sin and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you that the blood of Jesus has forgiven those sins.
What are you hoping for on this Holy Wednesday?

Silent Prayer

Closing Prayer

Study Questions (from “The Final Days of Jesus Study Guide” by Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor)

How was Jesus spending his time each day?
The response of the people to Jesus was positive. What group was not pleased with his teaching? Why?
What were the Jewish leaders doing while Jesus taught on Wednesday? Of what were they afraid?

Additional Scripture Readings

Holy Week with Jesus - Maundy Thursday

Holy Week with Jesus - Holy Wednesday