Wednesday in Holy Week

Wednesday in Holy Week. John 13,16-38

Antiphon (Psalm 56,11) 

℣  In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. 

℟  What can man do to me? 

Holy Gospel 

»Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.« (John 13,16-38)  

You may also wish to read Luke 22,1 - 23,56 for your Holy Week devotions for this day. 

Homily

Jesus makes an interesting comparison in John 13,18 where He says: “The Scripture will be fulfilled: He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” He is quoting Psalm 41:9: » Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.« The close friend who would soon lift up his heel against Jesus was Judas Iscariot, one of His 12 apostles. 

Jesus is also alluding to Genesis 3:15 where He told the serpent: »I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.« Jesus is comparing what Judas would soon do (betray him to the Jewish Sanhedrin) to the serpent biting His heel. Judas' betrayal set in motion the arrest, suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. 

When we look at ourselves, we realize that we also are a Judas to Jesus. Our sinfulness, our rebellion, our unwillingness to heed the will of the LORD is just as much a betrayal as was Judas', and so we are just like our father, Adam, who first lead us down this path of suffering and death. Jesus had arrived to solve Adam's curse by becoming a curse for us on the cross, and in doing so vicariously took our place and paid for our sin so that forgiveness, salvation and eternal life would be ours. Jesus redeemed us out of His love for us. 

Antiphon

℣  But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
℟  You are my Help and my Deliverer;  O Lord, do not delay!

Collect of the Day

O Merciful and Everlasting God, You did not spare Your Only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him so that we fear not the power of sin, death and the devil; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen.