WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8: Wednesday is sometimes called, “Hump Day.” It’s the middle of the week. Perhaps there have been Wednesdays when you thought, “If I can just get through this day, I think I can make the rest of the week.
One indication of Wednesday activity, at least from the Gospel of Matthew, for Jesus last week is not so much about Jesus, but about Judas Iscariot. Matthew 26:14-16 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Now that is not very much information for a Wednesday, but what a hump to get over!
I don’t think anyone will ever be able to figure out what was on Judas’ mind, but most especially what was in Judas’ heart that would cause him to even consider this question, “What will you give me if I hand him over to you?” But then, there have lots of decisions and actions in my own life that I have not yet figured out what was in my head or heart to cause me to even entertain that thought, but less to follow through with the deed.
One of the toughest parts of the Judas story is found in Matthew 26: 48 & 49: Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. That happened on Thursday evening in the Garden of Gethsemane. I cannot imagine the broken heart of Jesus at that very moment, but I have seen the broken heart that comes when someone does the one thing you never thought they would do.
Once you get past Wednesday it often seems that the rest of the week quickly comes to an end. I wonder how long that week seemed to Judas? I wonder how long the week for Jesus? I wonder how long before we realize how quickly sin leads to disaster?
1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
2 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of life
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
3 To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing;
while millions join the theme I will sing.
4 And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.
Lord Christ, if we could undo the deed of Judas, we would gladly do so. The pain of his betrayal becomes heart wrenching when he enters the garden and kisses you. It is almost too much to bear. But so are those times when we let some idle thought in our heads and hearts wipe out all the good we intended to do in your name and now we bear the shame. Above all the heart ache and guilt however, is your overwhelming, unmerited and ridiculously generous grace. Thank you, Lord, for loving us better than we love you. Amen.
1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
o Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.
4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?