Opening Scripture
Isaiah 50:4–10 (ESV)
[4] The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
[5] The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
[6] I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
[7] But the Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
[8] He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
[9] Behold, the Lord GOD helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
[10] Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.
A Prayer for Holy Wednesday
Matthew 22:41-42 (NLT)
Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Messiah? “
Lord Jesus, there’s no greater honor and joy in life than knowing you. Throughout eternity, we will be exploring, experiencing, and savoring your glory and grace. That’s why your question to the Pharisees, the day before your arrest, remains the primary question in all of life.
Who do we think you are, Jesus? You are everlasting God, and we are mere people. We’d despair if you were less, and we’re weary of trying to be more. You are Creator, Sustainer, and Restorer of all things.
You are Alpha and Omega, and everything in between. Angels worship you and stars sing to you, birds of the air and flowers of the field depend on you.
You are the Second Adam—our substitute to trust, before you are our model to follow. You lived a life of perfect obedience for us, and died a judgment-exhausting death, in our place. By you, we are completely forgiven; and in you, we are declared perfectly righteous.
You are our impassioned Bridegroom, and we are your beloved Bride. You cannot love us more, and you will never love us less. We believe these things because the Bible declares them true; but take them deep, deep, deep into our hearts. May the gospel define and delight us more than anything else.
You are the reigning and returning King—sovereign over days and demons, our joys and sufferings, every king, crisis, and cricket. Broken reeds love your appearing and demons tremble in your presence. Lord Jesus, you are all this and so much more.
As we ponder who you are, Jesus, we are undone to realize we are always in your heart and on your mind. You know us perfectly and delight in us fully. There’s not a moment you’re not praying for us, singing over us, and working in all things for our good. We’re stunned, humbled, and grateful. We pray with gratitude and adoration, in your wonderful and merciful name, Jesus. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Jesus Continues Teaching in the Temple- Luke 21:37-38 (ESV)
[37] And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. [38] And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
Meditation
Wednesday passes quietly— particularly when compared with the earlier city-shaking events of Sunday (the Triumphal Entry), Monday (the cleansing of the temple), and Tuesday (temple controversies). Jesus continues his daily practice of traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem early to teach the people in the temple complex. There do not seem to be any recorded controversies, but Luke notes the rapt attention of the crowds who had come to hear Jesus teach. His authority, actions, and teaching have made him quite a celebrity in the eyes of the people.
Prayer
Prayer to recognize Jesus and worship him rightly
Prayer for listening & attentive hearts toward Jesus.
Scripture Reading
The Plot to Kill Jesus- Matthew 26:1-5 (ESV)
[1] When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, [2] “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” [3] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, [4] and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. [5] But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Meditation
This elite group of Jewish leaders is representative of the Sanhedrin. They gather to brainstorm a way to kill Jesus by stealth in order to avoid a major uproar among the masses. The general consensus is that they must wait until after the Feast of Unleavened Bread when the crowds would disperse and return to their homes away from the city. At this point, they would be free to arrest and kill Jesus without fear of inciting a revolt. They are willing to bide their time because they know— or think they know— that they are in positions of power and authority and that if they wait for the right time to dispense with Jesus, they will win in the end. Their mind is made up, and their verdict has been rendered.
Prayer
Confession & repentance for hardness of heart toward Jesus.
Confession of pride-we must decrease, he must increase
Prayer for affection and love toward Jesus.
Prayer for humility and desire to see Jesus exalted.
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)
[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
[3] Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Prayer
To remember our place in the historical Christian faith
To lay aside our sin and run the race with endurance
To look to Jesus who was humbled and is now exalted
Benediction
May our Lord, whose arms were spread on the cross
to embrace the whole world,
help us this week to take up the cross and follow him.
Amen.
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