Wednesday - Easter Week

Wednesday

We have all had those times where one day piles upon another with the stuff of life that sucks us dry. Finally, we are empty, toast, a “stick a fork in me I’m done” kind of tiredness. We take a day and do nothing, hoping to recharge enough to move on. That common experience has caused me to wonder about Wednesday of Holy Week.

Nothing is recorded about this day other than it is two days before the Passover Feast. No record of words or actions by Jesus. What is going on here?

I am moving into conjecture here, but I suspect Jesus, after three intense days, needs rest. Some might consider this preposterous, after all he’s God, right? God getting tired, burned out? No way!

I am reminded though, of the incident where he falls asleep in a boat on Galilee. A storm comes up, strong enough to illicit fear in the seasoned fishermen among the disciples. What does Jesus do? He sleeps soundly in the storm.

Jesus, the man, experiences full humanity including fatigue, and I suspect this includes the kind of empty weariness that sets in whenever we go through several days that place heavy demands on us. The previous three days have been intense.

I believe he simply heeded his body’s need for refreshment and rest. But where could he go?

Mark tells us in 11:11 after the entry into Jerusalem and his assessment of the condition of the Temple, he went to Bethany. Again, a return to Bethany is mentioned by Mark in 14:3. Matthew makes mention of Bethany in 21:17. Luke interestingly, says Jesus spent his nights on the Mount of Olives in 21:17. The mount lies just north east of the road leading to Bethany, so it makes sense that Luke’s investigation prior to writing his gospel led him to this conclusion.

I am landing on Bethany, perhaps the household of Lazarus on Sunday evening and the house of Simon the Leper Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

I also suspect his disciples are with him, but it is interesting that there is no record of anything he may have taught them during those evenings. Is it possible Jesus simply wants to be with these men without having to be the teacher? What better way to be refreshed than to sit with those he loves, and who love him, without demands.

I also suspect he slipped away early each morning to be with Abba, praying as they prepared together for what was coming. You will notice sprinkled here and there in the gospels is Jesus habit of doing this. I doubt he would not have done this during this down time of Wednesday.

There is a comfort for me as I think about Jesus responding to his own need for rest. By doing this, he is telling us he understands when we are washed up and can’t keep going. The Sabbath was established to provide a regular rhythm of rest for us. I also believe we need other days at times. If it is possible that Jesus took this day, then he will invite us to do the same when our mind and body require stoppage. Full stop.

Just maybe this was a full stop for him.

It was not a full stop for one of the disciples. It appears Judas took some of this day to seek out those who are looking for Jesus. It’s entirely possible this was the day he made his deal to turn Jesus over to them.