Hump Day or Holy Day?

When I was in the workplace on Wednesdays, we’d often hear someone say: “Yay! It’s hump day!” That’s because Wednesday is smack dab in the middle of a work week and the weekend is in sight! Whoohoo!

But imagine the countdown to the weekend that Jesus was thinking about. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. It became known as “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I take you to Him?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him and soon he led them to Jesus. (Matthew 26:14)

It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Jesus went to Bethany for rest where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, lived. Such friendship that Jesus had with those three. It was this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil.

Judas, the contriver, and negotiator with the chief priests remarked to Jesus: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples. Obviously, money was his weakness. He wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary anointed Him for his burial! Jesus knew what He was about to face.

In my meager attempt to show-off what Easter means to me here at my apartment home, I placed these little vignettes at my door. Not a fish sign like early Christians, but still a simple way they will know who I am and Whose I am.

Easter doesn’t call for a party atmosphere like we experience at Christmas. But partying isn’t what we do when someone we love is facing death. No fanfare is wanted. All of humanity was cursed and doomed to death, but during the week of Easter, Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of strength He had to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him. The cross – that would symbolize an emergency rescue of humanity for all time.

It’s exciting to celebrate the birth of a baby – but how can we celebrate a death? If we look closer, birthing is what the Father had in mind when “He loved us so much that if we believe in His Son, Jesus, we will NEVER perish, but have life everlasting.” (John 3:16) “Death, where is your sting? Oh, grave where is your victory? But thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

THAT means that there is reason to celebrate our Lord’s death. From the cross to the grave to life is the grandest celebration of all because His death means life everlasting for you and me. So, let the celebrations BEGIN!!