Matthew 26:3–5; Mark 14:1–2; Luke 22:1–2
Read Matthew 26:3–5; Mark 14:1–2; Luke 22:1–2
Helpful Background Information:
By Wednesday of Holy Week, evil is on the move behind the scenes. The religious leaders are no longer just frustrated with Jesus, they are committed to killing Him. So, they gather in secret, and they carefully plan how to do that without causing a public scene.
Ultimately, these leaders aren’t afraid of God, they’re afraid of people. They are willing and even eager to commit murder, as long as it’s politically safe. To them, protecting their reputation, their image in the public eye, matters more than obeying God. While all of this is happening, betrayal comes from inside Jesus’ own group. Judas, one of the twelve, being influenced by Satan, chooses to hand Jesus over.
This reminds us of a consistent pattern in Scripture: whenever God is doing something significant, opposition is never far behind. Evil doesn’t sit still when God is at work. It schemes, it resists, and it tries to disrupt what God is doing. That means when we see opposition, resistance… it may actually be a sign that God is at work.
However, while evil may plot to resist God’s work, it will never win in the end. Even here, these leaders thought they were in control; they carefully planned the timing and method of Jesus’ death. But in reality, every part of their plan was still under God’s authority… This side of the cross we know how God took what the enemy meant for evil and turned it for our good and His glory.
Reflection Questions:
Can you think of a time in your life where following God led to unexpected resistance or difficulty? How did you respond?
How can we tell the difference between godly consideration for the people around us and sinful fear of people?
Even though evil was plotting, God was still in control. How does that truth encourage you when life feels uncertain or difficult?
What is one step you can take this week to trust God more fully, even when things don’t go the way you expect?