April 8, 2020 - WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Day 98 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 23:1-21; Psalm 92; Luke 10:38-11:13 2 Chronicles 23:1-21; Psalm 92; Luke 10:38-11:13)

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV)

The major event of Holy Wednesday is Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Although the betrayal doesn’t take place for another day, our knowledge of the impending act colors our reading of the Last Supper story, which we’ll encounter tomorrow. Here’s the short but critical scene from Wednesday of Holy Week:

Judas makes the first move. He goes to the chief priests with betrayal on his mind.

“What will you give me if I deliver Jesus to you?” 

What an evil question, right? Selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (from 
$200 to $600 today). What kind of man would sell out his friend for money. Did you know that we all do what Judas did every time we sin? And many times we sell Him out for far less than 30 pieces of silver. 

Thank God Jesus allowed Himself to be betrayed, arrested, beaten mercilessly, nailed to a cruel cross, and forsaken by God the Father. Jesus’ great sacrifice offers hope all of us who sell Him out every day.

4 What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
   The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
   The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
   Who would not know Him.

5 The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
   The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
   Man forfeited his life and is acquitted;
   God is committed.
   (“O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken,” Lutheran Service Book #439)

Heavenly Father, I confess my many betrayals of Jesus by means of my sin. Please have mercy on me and grant me forgiveness. Bless me as I get closer to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday that I may truly appreciate what Jesus accomplished for me on those precious days. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!