Horrible Hump Day
Fire up the Flux Capacitor for Jerusalem during Passion Week. Specifically for Wednesday. The biographers of Jesus give us nothing but crickets about what the Lord did that day. Most likely He hung out at Lazarus’ house in Bethany.
Fire up the Flux Capacitor for Jerusalem during Passion Week. Specifically for Wednesday. The biographers of Jesus give us nothing but crickets about what the Lord did that day. Most likely He hung out at Lazarus’ house in Bethany.
However something very horrible happened on this Hump Day. Dr. Luke tells us this was the day Judas Iscariot and the Jewish leadership colluded to kill Christ.
This is Wicked Wednesday. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s back up and take a running start at this story.
This is Wicked Wednesday. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s back up and take a running start at this story.
God’s Plan for Passion Week
It would be VERY easy to ignore Jesus’ eschatological (that's a two-dollar seminary term for "the end of time") teaching at the temple in Luke 21 as we turn the page to chapter 22. But they are VERY much related.
Don’t forget that Christ taught that God has a grand, elaborate, and very precise plan. Not only is He in total control of that eventual and unavoidable day of judgment, but He also has a grip on the events of Passover week. Call it a death grip.
As a matter of fact, we see that God set the supernatural agenda for Jesus’ Passion in Scripture centuries before. Luke describes how “the Feast of the Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover” (v1). This is the annual festival God commanded to commemorate His liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Don’t forget that Christ taught that God has a grand, elaborate, and very precise plan. Not only is He in total control of that eventual and unavoidable day of judgment, but He also has a grip on the events of Passover week. Call it a death grip.
As a matter of fact, we see that God set the supernatural agenda for Jesus’ Passion in Scripture centuries before. Luke describes how “the Feast of the Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover” (v1). This is the annual festival God commanded to commemorate His liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The Passover and the Passion
Moses described the first Passover in detail in Exodus 12-13. Each family was to kill a lamb and spread its blood on the front door. When the destroyer went from house-to-house killing every first born male, he would pass over houses painted with the blood of the lamb.
In preparation for their quick escape from Egypt, God’s chosen people would eat only bread without leaven. There was no time for it to rise and there was no time to lose. They must move fast once Pharaoh lets them leave.
The Ultimate Passover
What we see in Luke 22 is the celebration of the Ultimate Passover! The Perfect Passover Lamb would die. His Perfect Blood would be spilled and cover us from destruction! What Moses wrote a couple of thousands of years before foreshadowed this week in Jerusalem.
The Axis of Evil
Luke describes how the ultimate Axis of Evil came together on this very Wicked Wednesday. “The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death” (v2). The chief priests were made up mostly of Sadducees, the religious liberals. The scribes were predominantly Pharisees, the religious legalists.
The Axis of Evil
Luke describes how the ultimate Axis of Evil came together on this very Wicked Wednesday. “The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death” (v2). The chief priests were made up mostly of Sadducees, the religious liberals. The scribes were predominantly Pharisees, the religious legalists.
They hated each other. But these enemies found one thing they could agree on. They had a common enemy. Jesus must be eliminated. He must be killed.
Paralyzed by the Polls
Public opinion paralyzed these religious leaders. The good doctor writes that “they feared the people” (v2). They clearly understood that Jesus had won the crowd with His amazing entrance into the city and His teaching of the temple.
Paralyzed by the Polls
Public opinion paralyzed these religious leaders. The good doctor writes that “they feared the people” (v2). They clearly understood that Jesus had won the crowd with His amazing entrance into the city and His teaching of the temple.
Meanwhile, their approval ratings are in the toilet. But they were unwilling to make a difficult choice because of the fear of the people. So they plotted to wait until Jesus was alone in order to take Him out. But how would they be able to do that without starting a riot?
Satan Enters Judas
In verse three we see the next two partners in the Axis of Evil come together. Satan himself enters Judas Iscariot. The serpent who began it all in the garden had taken possession of one of Jesus’ closest followers. It may come as no surprise that Judas was one who handled the money.
Satan Enters Judas
In verse three we see the next two partners in the Axis of Evil come together. Satan himself enters Judas Iscariot. The serpent who began it all in the garden had taken possession of one of Jesus’ closest followers. It may come as no surprise that Judas was one who handled the money.
Satan entered Judas because it was easy. Judas’ own sin and duplicity opened the door for the Devil to walk right in. What a powerful reminder to do everything our power to confess our own sin in order to keep our heart soft toward our Savior. Our enemy is constantly looking for his next Judas.
Solving the "Jesus Problem"
In verses 4-6, we now witness all four partners of the Axis of Evil conspiring together. Judas sneaks away to meet with the chief priests and the commanders of the temple police force. They brainstorm how they might eliminate their “Jesus problem.”
Solving the "Jesus Problem"
In verses 4-6, we now witness all four partners of the Axis of Evil conspiring together. Judas sneaks away to meet with the chief priests and the commanders of the temple police force. They brainstorm how they might eliminate their “Jesus problem.”
Eventually, they come up with a plan. Judas will tip them off when and where Jesus will be away from the crowd. He’ll provide invaluable eyes-on-target intel they can use to move on.
And don’t forget the price. Thirty pieces of silver. This was the price of a slave or an ox (Ex 21:32). In case you’re wondering, God hinted at that very price tag back in Zechariah 11:12-13.
Flipping the Script
You see, despite all of the conniving by this sinister conspiracy, God is in complete control of these events. The chief priests, scribes, Satan, and Judas have no idea that He is actually using their evil hearts to pull off His jaw-dropping plan of salvation.
God will flip the script. He’ll turn the worst crime in history into His greatest blessing.
And don’t forget the price. Thirty pieces of silver. This was the price of a slave or an ox (Ex 21:32). In case you’re wondering, God hinted at that very price tag back in Zechariah 11:12-13.
Flipping the Script
You see, despite all of the conniving by this sinister conspiracy, God is in complete control of these events. The chief priests, scribes, Satan, and Judas have no idea that He is actually using their evil hearts to pull off His jaw-dropping plan of salvation.
God will flip the script. He’ll turn the worst crime in history into His greatest blessing.
If this is the ultimate Passover and they are the ultimate Axis of Evil, then this is the ultimate expression of that incredible truth Paul wrote to the Romans. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28).
You Mean Evil, God Means Good
It’s the same idea that Joseph mentions back in Genesis. His brothers finally had enough of Joe being their dad’s favorite and sold him to slave traders to get him out of their hair. Little did they realize how God would use their own wicked plot to eventually save their own hides.
When a massive drought results in a critical shortage of food back home, Joe’s brothers hit the road for Egypt to find something to eat. The next thing you know, they’re standing in front of the second most powerful person in the country…who just happened to be...yeah, you guessed it...their little brother! Gulp.
You Mean Evil, God Means Good
It’s the same idea that Joseph mentions back in Genesis. His brothers finally had enough of Joe being their dad’s favorite and sold him to slave traders to get him out of their hair. Little did they realize how God would use their own wicked plot to eventually save their own hides.
When a massive drought results in a critical shortage of food back home, Joe’s brothers hit the road for Egypt to find something to eat. The next thing you know, they’re standing in front of the second most powerful person in the country…who just happened to be...yeah, you guessed it...their little brother! Gulp.
This would be the moment that most of us who’ve been bullied by big brothers would have been waiting for. But not Joe. He sees God’s plan in everything that has happened. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive" (Gen 50:20).
Passion Week Putty
Which points us back to Wicked Wednesday of Passion Week. Religious power brokers, a disciple defector, and the satanic snake would seem to be an unbeatable combination. What appears to be an unstoppable Axis of Evil is just putty in the hands of our Almighty God!
It may be Wicked Wednesday, but God is still in control. He’s still on the throne. As a matter of fact, He specializes in reversing curses no matter the day of the week. Don’t believe me? Just wait until Sunday and swing by the Jerusalem cemetery.
©2017
Jay Jennings
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