Holy Wednesday

8 April 2020

Psalm 94; Zechariah 13:7-9; Hebrews 12:1-4; John 16:1-15 (read online ⧉)

The psalmist declares that the Lord’s people will not be forsaken, and justice will return. He continues with the steadfast of God holding him up when he slips. The beginning of this psalm is harsh in tone but quickly turns to of God.

The hour draws near. From a human (and God’s), what is about to happen is harsh indeed. What is about to come is almost like the very vengeance that the psalmist opens up with. Except, all of that will be poured out onto one person!

There is a sense that Jesus, with the time drawing near, has turned on the hose, trying to fill the disciples (even the one who betrays him) with everything he can before he is gone. This passage in John is often cited on Sunday, the day to focus on an essential of the Christian . This short passage is given toward the , conveying a still not completely understood.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
John 16:12

The clock is ticking. Jesus promises that the disciples will not be alone. Imagine them trying to understand that this Advocate might be better than Jesus? Better for them at least. How could that be? They had to have been so very confused. Despite wanting to give it all to them, Jesus moved forward.

He was coming around the final lap. In his case, there was a crowd of earthly witnesses. Some waiting for him to fall. Others waiting for him to take an earthly throne. Some just wanting him to go away.

1. Much of Holy Week is just waiting. What are you waiting for?

2. If you gave up something for Lent, are you anticipating getting it back?

3. If you didn’t give up something, what do you think the anticipation does to a person’s anticipation of and Resurrection Sunday?