Holy Week Devotionals: Holy Wednesday

By Associate Pastor of Youth and Missions/Outreach Lindsey Odom

Read John 13:21-32

Summary of Scripture Passage: Jesus and his disciples were sharing the Last Supper together when Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking about. Jesus knows who is about to betray him (verse 11), and Jesus is very troubled by this knowledge. Then Jesus dipped a piece of bread in the dish and gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot (verse 26). This act signals Jesus feeding the betrayer. Judas then leaves to betray Jesus and the writer of the gospel of John adds, “and it was night” in verse 30. Jesus was troubled in Spirit that one of his closest friends and disciples would betray him. However, knowing that Judas’ betrayal was imminent, Jesus did nothing to stop him.

Although Jesus knew that he was about to be betrayed by one of his own disciples, being betrayed by someone is never easy. For we were created by God to live in relationships and communion with each other, but throughout life, there will be times where we experience hurt, being rejected, or being betrayed by someone close to us or someone that we love. We are not alone in this. Jesus was also hurt when Judas betrayed him. The important thing is how we react and respond to this. So…

• Make time to reflect on your friendship’s. Is there anyone who has hurt you or wronged you in some way? Can you take time to have a conversation with them? Try to have a conversation that will lead to healing and forgiveness.
• Think about someone who you might have hurt and try to reach out and make amends/ peace with them.
• Lastly, put yourself in the shoes of Jesus and imagine the pain that the betrayal caused for Jesus. Yet, Jesus still lovingly forgives all of us. So, what is holding you back from forgiving others and showing them grace?

Pray:

Loving God,

Your Son Jesus Christ had to undergo the humiliation of being betrayed and denied by those He called His friends. But He made His suffering and death into instruments of love and reconciliation. Make us with Him, people-for-others, who accept difficulties, even betrayals and misunderstanding of our best intentions, and turn them into sources of life and joy for those around us. Keep us faithful to You and to one another through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.