The Awful Loneliness Of Silent Wednesdays

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Isn’t it incredible that with all that was happening around Jerusalem on that Wednesday, that Jesus chose to be “silent”: to do nothing that was recorded? Of all the miracles that needed to be done; the teaching that was needed for the people, the healings that He could have accomplished, the hungry that could have been fed, and the depressed that could have been cheered by Jesus’ presence. The scholars tell us He most likely stayed at the home of Lazarus and his sisters.

But I don’t think it is strange, necessarily. If you are a Christ follower for long enough there will come a time when God will be silent. In the midst of your hurts, needs, depression, loss, hunger, and desperation--when you passionately need to hear from God and all your ears pick up are birds chirping and crickets singing--- you will wonder “Why?”

It is like we are going through a wilderness experience but we are actually going through a “Silent Wednesday.” Eventually we all will encounter questions of our faith, and when we seek an answer, God will be silent. Why is that? I think He is teaching us that when there are times when we don’t hear God, we need to read God. If you have gone through, or are going through, a Silent Wednesday, let me encourage you to read the Word. God has not abandoned you. He is still there. And He wants you to focus on Him in the silent times by focusing on His Scriptures. 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.Philippians 4:6-8


For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.Romans 8:18

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10


I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33


He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.  Psalm 62:2


Take heart, friend. God is with you, even on a silent Wednesday!

The Awful Loneliness Of Silent WednesdaysIf you are a Christ-Follower for long enough, there will come a time when God...
Posted by The Lake on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Passion Week: Day 7

Day 7: Saturday. 

Jesus' body lies in the tomb.

Passion Week: Day 6

Day 6 Friday. Trials, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial.

Jesus' third trial is held early in the morning before the Sanhedrin. The first three trials were before the religious authorities where He is found guilty. Jesus is then taken before Pilate (the fourth trial) where He is found innocent. He is subsequently taken to Herod who also finds Him innocent (the fifth), and then back to Pilate who again finds Him innocent (the sixth) but relents under pressure, no doubt fearing an uprising. He notes on the sign on the cross that His crime was being the King of the Jews. He probably did this to avoid trouble with Rome (There was to be no king but Caesar). 

About 9:00 AM. Jesus is crucified on a hill called The Skull outside the city. Literally, Golgotha in Aramaic, or Calvary in Latin, it was most likely named this because it was the place of execution. While we cannot know for certain, it is tradition that this is the site where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. 

At noon, the sky becomes dark. The darkness is highly symbolic of the Father turning His back on the one He had earlier called My beloved Son. No doubt that this was also the Father’s mercy, veiling His Son’s pain and agony. Jesus will make seven proclamations while on the cross. These are known collectively as The Seven Last Saying of Christ. They are:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

 “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 

 “Woman, behold your son!” “Behold your mother!

"Eloi, Eloi, lamasabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

“I thirst"

“It is finished!”

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

At 3:00 PM Jesus utters the most important of these sayings to believers when he cries with a loud voice: “It is finished.” This is just one word in the Greek, Tetelestai. The phrase literally means Paid, as in paid in full. The rapidity of the trial and crucifixion was seen as necessary by the Jews for fear of the fickle crowds turning again to embrace Jesus. It was in actuality part of the Father’s plan from the beginning, as Jesus dies while the paschal lambs are being offered at the temple. The Son of God became sin for us! "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) The veil is rent in the Temple (Mk. 15:38) 

Jesus had been on the cross for 6 hours when His body is given to two of His followers, who up until this point had kept their devotion to Christ secret. (John 3:2) Jesus is laid in Joseph's tomb before the Sabbath began at sunset, or around 6:00 PM. In less than twelve hours Jesus has fulfilled the Father’s purposes: The sin of the world has been placed on the Lamb of God.

Maranatha! Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Passion Week: Day 5

Day 5 Thursday. Day of Preparation and Passover in the Evening.

Today (and perhaps on Wednesday evening) preparation is made for the Passover. Judas may have also utilized this time to meet with the priests for his betrayal (Matt.26:1-5; 14-16; 17-19). The Passover is celebrated on Thursday evening (which is Friday by Jewish reckoning) in an upper room. Tradition has it that it was owned by Mark's parents. At the end of the Jewish feast, Jesus institutes the Last Supper (Matt. 14:12-26; Lk. 22:17-23). The Last Supper is followed by the Upper Room Discourse (Jn. 13-17). Sometime in the evening, after the Passover, Jesus and His disciples leave the Upper Room and go to Gethsemane, a place near the Mt. of Olives where it was a custom for Jesus to Pray (Matt. 26:36-460). While in the Garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by the temple guards (Jn. 18:2-12). The Trials begin. Before dawn Jesus is tried twice before Annas and then Caiaphas. Everything about these trials is illegal.

Passion Week: Day 4

Day 4: Wednesday. The Silent Day.

After an exhausting day of controversy, Jesus more than likely spends this day

resting and visiting with His intimate friends at the home of Lazarus, Maratha, and Mary.

Passion Week: Day 3

Day 3: The Day of Controversy and Teaching in Parables.

On Tuesday, Jesus personally confronts the authorities and defends His claims to be the Messiah. The occasion for their questions was His cleansing of the temple of money changers on Monday. Mark's gospel gives the most detailed account (Mk. 11:27- 13:37). The day ends with Jesus pronouncing a curse on the city and announcing that the Kingdom will be taken away from the nation. He also explains the significance of the cursed fig-tree. Jesus gives the great eschatological pronouncement in Matthew 23, “Baruch haba b'shem Adonai!” or, “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the LORD!” On the return to Bethany the Disciples are loaded with questions. Jesus stops at the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple, and gives the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24,25; Lk.21:5ff.) The theme of the Olivet Discourse is a detailed prophecy largely about the second coming of Jesus and the end of the present age due to the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by the Jewish authorities.