In The Shadows

Some call the Wednesday before Easter "Ugly Wednesday," "Shadow Wednesday," or "Spy Wednesday," as this day commemorates when Judas gave information to the soldiers about Jesus's whereabouts in exchange for money.

I can picture Judas sneaking around in the dark shadows to avoid being seen by others as he schemed to ambush and trap Jesus. 

I imagine Judas' internal anguish as the evil voices took over and urged him forward, whispering justifications and rationalizations for why he was doing the right thing.

In the darkness, Judas was sure no one could see what he was about to do.

But even in the hidden shadows, Jesus knew exactly what was going on.  

What if He had stopped it?

What if Jesus had miraculously appeared before Judas, shined a light in his face, and said, "STOP! Judas, knock it off. Go home. Don't do it."

But even if he did try something wild like that, Judas was too far gone and probably would have pushed him way.

Even though Judas knew Jesus as a close friend, watched as He performed miracles, and heard all of His amazing teachings, He chose to do what he did. 

Judas couldn't have known what world-altering consequences would befall him in that choice.  

But Jesus did. And He still didn't stop him.

And He won't stop us. 

In the darkness, we scheme. In the shadows, we tell ourselves all the stories to rationalize our choices. We listen to the dark whispers luring us forward.

We can look back and see some of the awful choices we made and the consequences we faced. We shudder as we recall those memories and are grateful for God's forgiveness.

We also can think of the anguish and darkness that overtook those who hurt us. That understanding could help lead us to forgiveness.

We can't erase our past decisions, but we can choose wisely today.

Whatever is luring us into the hidden shadows and trying to convince us to push God away, we can scream, STOP!  

We can choose to turn back, look for the light in the darkness, and find our way back. 

After all, we have no idea what world-altering consequences may befall us if we don't. 

John 12: 35-36

Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Matthew 26: 14-16

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Luke 22: 3-6

That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve. Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them. They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well. He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.

Ephesians 5:11-13

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.