On Holy Wednesday, the plot grows darker. 

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭1-6‬ NKJV

  

Jesus continues to teach in the Temple, and the Devil lurks in the background.  The life of Jesus is bought for a few coins. One of his closest friends chooses betrayal. The powers that be actively plot to kill him. 

If it were just a movie, this would be the point where I’d want to turn away. To stop watching. This would be the point where I’d hope that this time, just this once, it would all go differently. 

But it’s not just a movie. This is the story of God’s saving grace. This is the story of Life triumphing over death. This is the story of how dearly, how deeply, God loves each of us. Enough to stand back and watch as his Son is betrayed, and then beaten, and then crucified, because He wanted to save us. The way, though dark, will lead to endless light. 

So I do not turn way. For I must witness this. I must realize that this – all of this – was the terrible, horrible, exhorbitant cost for my soul to be saved. For your soul to be saved. 

And Jesus – God in the mortal flesh and blood – chose to pay it. For me. For you. 

So I do not turn away. 

This Holy Week, may you also choose to witness this. May you realize that God loves you enough to pay an exhorbitant price to save you. 

   

Sandra, on of St. A’s pilgrims, reads passages of the Scriptures that place Jesus at the Temple, on the Temple steps. 

  

Sitting on the Temple Steps as our pilgrims gather (with the bag that my Aunt made for me).

  

Mom, Dad and I with our hands on the unrestored section of the Temple steps. Jesus was here, for us.