Holy Wednesday
Watch today’s service here:
Welcome
The LORD is strength to his people, a safe refuge for his anointed one.
Psalm 28: 8
All age time (for 0-100 years)
For today’s symbol, put a piece of bread in a dish
Opening Prayer
Almighty God
We gather in worship thinking on the last days of Jesus
before his death on the cross
marvelling at the scale of your love
you invested your all in him
through him you accepted pain suffering and death
to redeem and restore your world
to bring it healing and wholeness
to make us forever your own
in the face of such love we marvel
but are also ashamed
because of the way we live
the way we take things for granted
the way we go against your express commands and guidance
we have behaved in ways that caused hurt
we are sorry and ask your forgiveness
Fill us anew with your spirit
that we may faithfully and truly respond to you in all that we do
Through Christ our Saviour we pray. Amen
Bible reading John 13: 21-32
Hymn 378 Praise to the holiest in the height
Reflection
Judas has left the Upper Room, and gathers his thoughts standing outside
It’s good to get out of there and close the door behind me. I could hear my heart pumping, my stomach was churning over, my pulse was racing, and my hands are all clammy. I know there are a lot of people in there, and there’s not a lot of ventilation, but that’s not the trouble. I just keep going over and over in my mind, ‘Am I doing the right thing? Will I get caught? Should I hand the money back and say that I can’t do it?’
The others are so full of life, having a great Passover party, lubricated by a fair bit of wine. I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t have any conversation, I didn’t laugh at the jokes. They wondered what was up, but I just said that I wasn’t feeling well. To be honest I feel absolutely terrible.
At one stage I thought the whole plan was going to unravel when Jesus said that he thought that someone would betray him. Was he just talking generally? Was he having another go at me, especially after Monday night? I’m getting neurotic about him not trusting me, pushing me to the side, having a go at me. Or does he really know about the plot to arrest him? If he does, I’m surprised he didn’t announce it to everyone at the table – and they would have lynched me there and then, never mind what he has said before about loving your enemies and turning the other cheek. If he does, then he may not go to the garden after all, and if I turn up with the soldiers, and he isn’t there, then they might lynch me.
I’m still in two minds about whether to go ahead with this. A little voice somewhere inside me says it’s not just risky, it’s wrong. But what is right and wrong? Isn’t it just about what’s best for me? To be honest I’ve lost faith in Jesus. I hoped that he would lead a revolution that would overthrow those in power, and we would become the new leaders, we would live in the palaces, we would have all that money. But more and more he churns out this mamby-pamby stuff about loving enemies, being the servant of all, suffering for the rest of humanity, giving away your wealth to the poor.
I’m fed up being one of the poor. I’m fed up struggling to get by, worrying about paying bills or where the next meal will come from. I want the security and comfort of the great and the good, and I’m going to do every thing I can to get it. The lifestyle he talks about would make life even worse than it is now. Thirty pieces of silver isn’t a lot, but it’s better than nothing, and if this exercise works they may take me onto their payroll permanently.
I feel let down by Jesus. The hopes I pinned on him are shattered, my dreams are shattered. I feel as if I’ve wasted all the time I’ve spent following him. There’s still a knot in my stomach about doing it. Will I regret it? Will I feel guilty? Will anyone hold it against me? You only get one shot at life. You’ve got to go for it, and tough on anyone who gets in the way. It’s my life, I’m going to do what I want to do, and don’t let anyone try to stop me. I’m going. I’m going now, and what will be will be.
Prayers for others
Loving God
Heavenly Father
We want to be with Mary offering you our devotion and commitment
but all too often we are like the other disciples, and back off
or we’re like Thomas and sceptical about things
or like Judas, arguing with you in our hearts
Kindle anew in us the flame of commitment
that we might be wholeheartedly ready to do what you want of us
We pray for all who like Judas feel cut off from those around them
and particularly for those who feel so cut off that they wish to cause harm to others
We pray for those like Jesus who feel isolated and alone
those who feel let down or betrayed
Jesus spoke of the poor being always with us
We pray for those in need in our community, our country and our world
those who do not have enough to eat
those who do not have a home of their own
those worried about work or money
those who do not have access to education, healthcare, safe sanitation and the like
those who long to live in peace and safety
help us to remember that bringing in peace and justice
is not just something to be left to you, or to others
but involves us
We bring to you our prayers for people and situations of special concern to us
And we sum up our prayers in the words of the prayer Jesus gave us
Blessing
Secure in God’s love
be steadfast in his service
and the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
rest and remain with you,
today, and every day, and for ever. Amen