“The calm before the storm” is an idiom I’ve heard my entire life. I tried to dig around to see where it originated. Roughly 894 billion websites offered input and thoughts on the subject. After praying for 2.3 seconds, I decided to forego the reading of them all. Thankfully, one of the first ones I came to offered the simplest and most logical explanation…saying that the expression most likely derived from seafaring folklore, as a period of calmness is often felt before the storm rolls in. Winds calm, birds stop chirping, and sometimes the air feels heavy. Another site suggested that after much research (by someone with a lot of free time on their hands) the expression made an appearance in a play somewhere in the 1700’s. Apparently, since that time, the idiom became part of the vernacular of us all.

In many ways, Wednesday has that kind of feel to it. Not many verses are attributed to it at all. In fact, I once had a study Bible years ago that basically said nothing happened on Wednesday and called it a “quiet day.” Modern study Bibles have updated their research and understanding of the week’s events and have reached conclusions that shed some light on the events of Wednesday…not a great amount of light…but light nonetheless. Eight verses, in total, are attributed to this day. But these verses are important in setting the stage for what is to come tomorrow…the day before Good Friday. To be fair, most study Bibles and commentaries are quick to say there is room for disagreements here on the timing of these things. I say this only because you might be in possession of a Bible or study tool that offers a different reference…that is perfectly ok. My personal library is rich in variety with Wednesday’s events.

For starters, Luke 21:37-38 tell us Jesus continued His daily teaching the temple complex. After the verbal rounds with the leadership on Tuesday, it is very likely many of those same folks were in attendance…at the very least, watching every move and listening to every word. The crowds had to be intrigued by this One who had exposed the pompous showmen for the fakes they truly were. But they were also hearing the truth about God and how the Son would build His kingdom…and what a true believer looked like.

Two events in Matthew and Mark are attributed to Wednesday. Matt 26:1-5 and Mark 14:1-2 tell us the chief priests and scribes begin making their plans to plans to arrest and kill Jesus. Matthew says they gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, to start plotting. Their plan is to do this by stealth because of the crowds. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are two days away from being observed. The popularity of Jesus had soared after His bouts with the religious and political leaders. An uproar among the crowds was the last thing the leaders wanted. The reason for this is that an uproar would draw the attention of the Romans…which could jeopardize their standing. Rome, as an empire, was quiet lenient with cultural practices of the nations they conquered. However, anything even resembling a revolt or an uprising was dealt with swiftly and unmercifully. The leaders are wicked, but not stupid. By stealth is their best option. Ironically, they were about to receive help…from a most-unlikely source.

The second big action attributed to Wednesday are the actions of one of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas Iscariot. Jesus referred to him as a devil in John 6:70…for He knows exactly who and what Judas is. Matthew 26:14-16 and Mark 14:10-11 tell us that Judas goes to the chief priests and ask, “what will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” Enter stage right—the infamous 30 pieces of silver. From this moment on, his very name and the 30 pieces of silver will carve their way into history…in the worst way possible. Judas makes his deal with the devil. The chief priests make their deal with the same monster. The plan is sealed.

Judas thought his plan was a secret. The chief priests envisioned a slick move by stealth…and it was…to everyone except Jesus. Once again, He is the only One in His circle who knows what is coming. Tomorrow, He will be in an upper room with His disciples. He will wash His disciples’ feet and things will begin to happen at an alarming rate of speed. The moment all of history has waited for is coming quickly. The time has come. Our task is to never forget why He is doing it.