Wednesday was an extraordinary day. Another day is just another day to do everyday things until it’s another day for the ordinary person. You know the drill. Different day, same stuff. Not for Jesus.
It was a day of transition
To Jesus, Wednesday was a day of transition. Things were changing, and the fresh-cut palm branches that once waved to greet a Savior were now wilting on the ground. People washed their cloaks used to line the path of Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Those who proclaimed Jesus as King and Messiah now questioned their original thoughts about this man called Jesus.
There was a buzz in Jerusalem. The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Pilate, and the Jews. So many uncertain and angry emotions.
Wednesday marked the beginning of His Jesus’ pursuit to the cross, which was prepared in the heart of God to save the souls of men. What made Wednesday different? We don’t know. Scripture is silent about Jesus’ activities on Wednesday, but I think it is safe to say that this was not just another day….not for Jesus. Not for Jerusalem. Not for Judas. How about you?
It was a day of deceit
Yesterday (Tuesday), Judas bargained with the Sanhedrin to publicly betray Jesus and set in course a chain of events that would change both history and eternity. Judas, for 30 pieces of silver, sought an opportunity to betray Jesus. What a shameful act from a false follower. And don’t forget, Jesus would serve Judas the Passover meal and wash his feet as an act of love and service just before being betrayed. What an incredible Savior we serve.
It was a day of reflection
Jesus spent Tuesday teaching in the temple. He taught about His authority, the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39), and even the destruction of the temple, which would occur in 70 AD. Jesus taught about the great tribulation and how He would come and judge all nations. He spoke with His disciples and told them that He would be crucified in two days…it indeed was a full day. Yet, today, Wednesday, Jesus began to think about the family…His closest friends…His disciples. It was a day of reflection, preparation, and transition. The strength Jesus would need is a strength none of us could bear.
Jesus and the disciples spent Wednesday in Bethany. That’s all we know. But take a few minutes and think through the scene. Jesus, just yesterday, told His closest followers that He would suffer much through the inhumane and brutal punishment reserved only for the worst criminals, which led to a cruel and lonely death.
It was a day of uncertainty
I can imagine the disciples asked many questions of Jesus. Questions like, “What will we do?” “Where will we go?” “Why are you leaving us?” “What can we do?” Statements like, “It’s just not fair!” “May it never be!” “This can never happen!” But, as the disciples soon would find out, it was an inevitable plan fashioned in the heart of God before creation. I can imagine the day was filled with small conversations among the disciples trying to figure out how they might circumvent the upcoming events. I can imagine the day was filled with uncertainty, confusion, and sadness.
Perhaps Jesus took some time in the day to provide further explanation. We don’t know. Maybe Jesus had some quiet and reflective time with those guys, His closest friends, reminiscing over the things they experienced together during the past three years of ministry. The miracles, the teaching, the good times, the tough times, the fish and loaves, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Just maybe.
It was a day of preparation
Have you ever taken the time to contemplate the events of Wednesday in Passion Week? We are very quick to think about the betrayal, the denial, the gruesome events of the crucifixion, and the resurrection. Are we ready to think about how Jesus spent Wednesday in preparation for the events to come? Are we quick to think about how Jesus’ instruction in the temple finally came to an end? In reality, His public ministry was coming to an end.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spent time in the temple. Even from the age of 12, He was in the temple teaching and being about His Father’s work. But all of that came to an end as He fell asleep on Tuesday. Jesus woke on Wednesday with the knowledge that His teaching time in the temple was over. And now, His laser focus was on the cross and satisfying God’s wrath against us through His upcoming suffering and death.
Regardless of what was said or done on Wednesday, Jesus pulled in His closest for a day of reflection and preparation as the Passover was quickly approaching. As for the malicious plan of Judas betraying Jesus, the Sanhedrin continued its covert plans to catch, convict, and crucify. At this point, time only began to speed up as we are only a day away from the Lord’s Supper with His disciples.
How About Your Day?
I want to encourage you to take some reflective time today. Maybe at lunch. Maybe after dinner. Maybe at the gym. Maybe on your porch. Maybe during a walk alone. Wherever and whenever take some time to reflect on this day of transition. Think through the emotions the disciples must have felt for their closest friend. Jesus’ death is the single most significant event in history. Do you feel the anticipation of things to come? Do you understand the significance for you? I cannot even comprehend what Jesus must have been going through on Wednesday. But I do know this. In two days, Jesus would die in our place.
What a week…What a Wednesday…What a weight…What a Savior….