Situated between Palm Sunday and Easter is “Holy Wednesday”. It’s the day of Holy Week we know the least about. Scholars and traditions suggest that it was a day of silence for Jesus and scheming for Judas.
In this scenario, Jesus stops his public activity and retreats into a day of silence and solitude with the Father, while Judas orchestrates his betrayal with the Temple authorities.
30 pieces of silver. Scholars suggest that depending on the purity of the coins received, Judas earned roughly the equivalent of $91-$450 dollars in today’s currency.
Somewhere along the way, Judas decided to sell Jesus out – for less than a week’s wages.
It was a decision he almost immediately regretted. In the end, he couldn’t bear the weight of the shame and guilt.
I wonder about those grievous moments of regret. Did Judas recognize the choices he made that led to his betrayal? My best guess is that his disastrous betrayal began with smaller, almost indiscriminate betrayals. Maybe it was lunch with one of Jesus’ enemies a few weeks prior. Maybe he desired the prominence of Peter, and was promised a more influential position once Jesus was gone with the Temple insiders. Whatever was going on in his heart – he lost sight of the beauty and value of what was right in front of him – Jesus, the Christ.
On this Holy Wednesday, let us look into the mirror courageously. What small areas of betrayal may be leading us away from Jesus? What small temptations are leading us to larger and more dangerous temptations? Where does future regret lurk?
On this Holy Wednesday, may we choose the path of Jesus – and commune with the Father in silence and reverence, instead of spying and scheming for our own advantage. Let’s sit in the beauty of the Most High, and see our Treasure for what it is. Let us all spurn the “30 pieces of silver” for the eternal riches of being with King Jesus.
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