Illuminate Holy Week Day 5- Wednesday
This is Day 5 of a 9 part series to Illuminate Holy Week. The events in today’s reading would correspond to Wednesday of Holy Week. Take a minute to read the scripture before reading today’s devotion. I encourage you to read the full & harmonizing scripture account at the bottom of this post.
When my son, Andrew, was very young, he called out, “Mom! We have a Houston.” Of course he meant “Houston, we have a problem,” but I knew what he really meant was, “Mom, I have a problem.”
The religious leaders had a problem. Jesus.
Join us today for a look at the middle story of Holy Week.
Parts of a series are available to paid subscribers. A subscription is $5/month and can be cancelled at any time. I pray the blessing you receive from this week is of immeasurable value as you spend time sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Scripture Reading:
Luke 21:37-38, 22:1-2, 22:7-13
Scripture meditation:
“And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.” Luke 22:2
When my son, Andrew, was very young, he called out, “Mom! We have a Houston.” Of course he meant “Houston, we have a problem,” but I knew what he really meant was, “Mom, I have a problem.”
The religious leaders had a problem. Jesus. Jesus continued teaching in the temple, and the people continued flowing in to listen. The chief priests and scribes already had a plan to kill Jesus, now they needed to solve the problem of how to do so without creating an uprising of these throngs of Jesus followers.
“…. for they feared the people.” The fear of man is a trap laid by satan.
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25
These religious leaders had no fear of God, but were completely filled by the fear of man. Satan is handed the reins when fear is given control.
Wednesday brought to an end the active, earthly work of Jesus. He taught his last lesson, and then he asked Peter and John to go prepare the Passover meal. Preparations would begin the day before the meal.
It’s important to remember the significance of the Passover. In Exodus 11-12 God brought a final plague to Pharaoh and ultimately delivered the Israelites out of slavery. The Israelites were to sacrifice a lamb and put the blood on the doorposts. When the angel of death came through Egypt killing the firstborns as the final plague, he would pass over doors with the blood of the lambs.
“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13
Here on this Wednesday, Jesus knows the time is near that he will become the lamb that is slain. I can’t imagine how Jesus felt as he prepared for this meal knowing it was representative of what he was about to endure.
What kind of emotions must Jesus have felt? As the door on one season closed behind Jesus, He stood in the hallway knowing the next door was soon to be flung wide open for his next season. The one of dying.
Harmonizing scriptures
Matthew 26:3-5, 26:17-19
Mark 14:1-2, 14:12-16
Thank you for supporting my work.
Love,
Renee