Holy Wednesday

Before digging into Holy Wednesday, take a look at this Gospel Coalition article called Suffering Servant and Conquering King. It gives a brief overview of the past and present purpose of Old Testament prophesy and how some of the prophets were used to carve out a clearer idea of who Jesus was, is and is to come. Read the article, look over some of the verses noted and adore your Savior. Adore your God, who has always been. Adore your God, who has always had a marvelous, scandalous, exceedingly wise plan—and has let you be part of it.

Part of this marvelous plan was the way of pain. It’s no wonder Isaiah says of Jesus that he would be a man of sorrows and acquainted (well-acquainted) with grief. The main event commemorated on Holy Wednesday is Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot. 

It’s clear that Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was a necessary step toward the cross and part of God’s marvelous plan. It teems with prophetic accuracy, even down to the price placed on Jesus’ head. Yet the implications of this event run deeper still and keep unfolding into our lives, as well. 

Not only did Jesus suffer the sting of betrayal that he might be our sympathetic High Priest, knowing intimately our life’s trials, but he also suffered that we might have means of fellowship with him. Have you ever thought of betrayal as an occasion to rejoice? It is. You get the privilege of knowing your Savior that much better. You get to run to him with everything because he ran the race to the finish, suffering and loving his own to the end.

On this Holy Wednesday, behold the ways that your Savior’s suffering has become your joy—because you can have fellowship with him in it. 

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And if you have suffered (or are harboring bitterness for) a recent (or not-so-recent) betrayal, pinpoint the individual(s) who you need to forgive—and forgive them today. Extend the grace you have received from your Savior to someone in need of it. Write a letter. Make that phone call. As you participate in Jesus’ sufferings, don’t forget to practice his forgiveness.