A Day of Rest and Betrayal

"When Satan had been entirely worsted in his conflict with Christ in the garden, the man-devil Judas came upon the scene. As the Parthian in his flight turns around to shoot the fatal arrow, so the archenemy aimed another shaft at the Redeemer, by employing the traitor into whom he had entered."  -Charles H. Spurgeon

On Tuesday morning, of the Passion Week,  Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem, and then to the Mount of Olives. At the Temple, the religious leaders aggressively challenged Jesus' authority, attempting to ambush him and create an opportunity for his arrest. But, Jesus evaded their traps and pronounced harsh judgment on them (Matthew 23:24-33).

Tuesday afternoon, Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks Jerusalem due east of the Temple. Here Jesus gave his Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He taught in parables using symbolic language about end times, including his Second Coming and the final judgment (Matthew 24:1-25:46). Note that Jesus’ teaching in this discourse is in reference to Israel, and not the Church. Christ was speaking of God’s future program for Israel.

Within days of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus was betrayed into the hands of unbelievers and crucified for sinners. The Holy One of God will one day return in glory to judge the world, but first He had to provide the way of salvation for all who would trust in Him.

After a tiring day of confrontation and warnings about the future, Jesus and his disciples stayed the night in Bethany. Bethany was about two miles east of Jerusalem. Here Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted him and the disciples during these final days in Jerusalem (John 11:5).

Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave (John 11:38-44). After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God; and put their faith in him (John 11:45). Also, in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume (John 11:2).

“Silent Wednesday” is so called because while the Bible documents what happened on the other days of the Passion Week, there is nothing really recorded about Wednesday. The Gospel writers are essentially mute on the activity of Jesus’ Wednesday before the cross. Scholars can only surmise what might have happened. Some speculate that Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in the town of Bethany in anticipation of the Passover.

Furthermore, Wednesday marks the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6). We're never told why Judas betrayed Christ. Did he betray Christ out of a sense of revenge; because he felt let down when Jesus refused to become the popular Messiah of the Jewish folk religion of the day?

Did he betray Christ out of a sense of frustration because Jesus refused to be the political messiah that Judas had dreamed about; and the dreams for the last three years were rapidly disappearing? Was he just out to make some quick money? Or, did he betray Christ because he was trying to push Jesus’ hand and force him into starting a revolt against the Romans? We'll probably never know.

Scripture: Proverbs 19:5; Matthew 6:14-15; Genesis 12:3; Luke 22:48; Romans 3:23; Philippians 4:13; John 13:21 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all you have done. Please help me and calm the fear in my heart and help me to see the brightness in a future that is unclear. Amen

May God bless you!

Constance