Spy Wednesday: Pastors Holy Week Message

     Jesus had now reached a level of popularity likened to a celebrity of ancient days while He taught in the Temple, and even the children were crying out, Jesus made it ever so clear that He had the power to heal, and was a clear witness to being the Son of David; “The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were extremely displeased 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and infants You have perfected praise’?” Matthew 21:14-16
     The Jewish religious leaders at this time ramped up their efforts to destroy Him. Between (alleged) blasphemy, public miracles, and blatant attacks on the religious establishment, they had now compiled what they believed was sufficient reason to take action. On Wednesday, plans were set in motion to capture Jesus—and kill Him. In the words of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man dies for the people than that the whole nation perish” John 11:49-53.
     Later, Jesus is anointed by Mary at Bethany, with an expensive jar of perfume that Jesus later suggests is a preparation for His burial. Jewish leaders were angered at Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God and most likely feared that they would lose power and authority if Jesus were to “come to power.” Yet Jesus was popular with many people, and his miracles were hard to explain away. They needed to find and arrest him, and their evil ploy was carried forward by Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ In the Western world, this day is sometimes called Spy Wednesday because of the betrayal of Judas.
And this is…

Holy Wednesday

-Pastor Larry Enriquez