Wednesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 50:4–9a; Matthew 26:14–25)
The four “Servant Songs” of Second Isaiah constitute the Old Testament readings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of Holy Week. Although today’s passage does not mention a servant explicitly, it is so similar to the others that it belongs with the group. Some commentators identify the servant with Jeremiah the prophet, a contemporary of Second Isaiah. However, for all the trauma described in the poetry -- his back beaten and his face buffeted -- he clearly resembles to Jesus.
One of the great indignities that Jesus suffered is Judas’s betrayal. Judas is an intimate disciple, trusted with the community’s treasury according to John. After spending at least a year listening to Jesus and watching him dispense mercy, delivering him to his enemies is as unconscionable as spitting in his face.
The drama of salvation is ready to unfold. Tomorrow, we remember Christ forging a New Covenant, his Blood given to drink. On Friday, we witness how Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross brings about our justification. And on Saturday, we experience his passage from death to life so that we may share in the fullness of life.
