The violence of silence in a waiting world longing for its true king
THE Violence OF Silence IN A WAITING WORLD Longing FOR ITS True KING
Wednesday (Lk. 21:37-38; Mt.26:3-5; Mk. 14:1-2; Lk. 22:1-2)
"Silent Wednesday" is a common name for the Wednesday of Passion Week. It's not hard to understand why, thinking back on what transpired in the preceding three days. Jesus made His way to the temple complex and taught, although we are not told much more than that. Considering not much is mentioned in Scripture in regard to the events that transpired this day, it is safe to assume there was nothing extremely controversial. Wednesday may not be a particularly exciting day, but it is notable for one specific event: Judas's agreement with the chief priests.
Three of the four gospels share the account of Judas meeting with the chief priests, and Matthew is the only one that mentions the exact amount of silver.
“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.” (Matthew 26:14-16, NIV)
The amount is important because it is a fulfillment of a prophecy from Zechariah 11:12-13.
12 I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
13 And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. (NIV)
What does this mean for us?
This week I have made it a point to share what these things that happen during Passion Week mean for us today. In William F. Cook III’s book Jesus’s Final Week: From Triumphal Entry to Empty Tomb, the summary was not only enlightening but also presented a new idea to me. He says:
Whatever motivated Judas to betray Jesus, the act reminds us of how far one can go in religion and not be saved. Judas saw and heard things the Old Testament prophets longed to see and hear; yet, for whatever reason, he hardened his heart to the grace of God. The Bible makes clear Judas was responsible for his actions despite satanic involvement. At the end of the day, Judas failed to follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion. Today those who refuse to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and who embrace a “casual Christianity,” which is not Christianity at all, are in danger of falling short of the grace of God. Some persons who attend church are much more enamored with their next vacation than serving the Lord in their local church. Others have chosen to allow their children’s sporting events to continually trump their children’s souls. While it is easy to condemn Judas for what he did, some Christians may need to reconsider how their lifestyle choices betray their commitment to Jesus Christ. (1)
