In this week called Holy, we’ve come to the Wednesday called “Silent.” Why call it that? The Scriptures are silent about what Jesus did this day. The flurry of activity that filled Monday and Tuesday was past. Our Savior’s cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25); his cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-17); the Greeks who came to Philip with their request, “Sir, we want to see Jesus” (John 12:21); Jesus’ preaching and teaching in the temple courts that included stinging rebukes aimed at his enemies, (“white-washed tombs” Matthew 23:24-33); and our Savior’s “Mount of Olives” discourse shared with his disciples (Matthew 24:3 – Matthew 25) —all that whirlwind of business was finished.
But what did Jesus do on Wednesday? Scripture is silent. Yet I am led to wonder. Did our Lord stay on the Mount of Olives all day on Wednesday? For quiet prayer and meditation? I think so, because Matthew informs us that Jesus and his disciples had retreated there to spend each night of Holy Week in seclusion. (Matthew 21:37) Plus, during Christ’s busy public ministry, he regularly took time to go off into the hills where he could be alone for prayer. (Mark 1:35, 6:46, Luke 6:12, etc.)
So might I be bold enough to suggest that you and I copy our Lord on this Silent Wednesday? That we carve out some precious moments--5 minutes? 15? ½ hour? Even more? That we spend these moments alone, or with our spouse, our family, or a few Christian friends. Turn off the TV. Set aside the Smartphone or the tablet. Just bow your head. Fold your hands. And talk to your loving Father in a silent, unspoken, heart-to-heart prayer.
Sound like a plan? Good! Then this is where this Silent Wednesday encouragement can stop. Cue the crickets.
Unless. . .unless you’d like a suggested outline for your quiet moments on this Silent Wednesday? If so, keep reading.
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exod. 14:14)
The LORD parted the waters and rescued Israel when they were hopelessly trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the deep Red Sea. He has also rescued us—though we were hopelessly trapped by our sin, death and the old evil foe. He sent his Son Jesus to free us, to destroy the devil’s work! (1 John 3:8)
“Be silent before the LORD. Wait patiently for him. Do not fret when an evil man succeeds in his ways, when he carries out his wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
Our world often feels as if it’s been tipped upside down. Evil people everywhere seem to be getting the upper hand. Christians always seem to get dumped on. But our LORD knows our pain. He listens. He is still in charge. One day, on His Final Perfect Justice Day, every knee shall bow before him! (Philippians 2:9-11)
“Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is passing by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains and shattered rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a soft, whispering voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12)
Do we ever fall into the same trap the mighty prophet Elijah did? Do we dream of a day when the Lord will show himself in his divine power! In the mightiest of miracles! Thinking that then our world will finally sit up, take notice and bow the knee before him! That’s not how our Lord works. Instead, his saving power is found in his “soft, whispering voice.” (Hebrews 4:12) His selfless, giving love reaches out and envelopes us through his never-changing Word. (Matthew 13:31) His Word is all we need. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“My soul, rest quietly in God alone, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:5-8)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
PS: Our Holy Week and Easter Worship Services.
March 28, Holy Thursday w/ Holy Communion (6:30 p.m.)
Sermon Text: Luke 22:7-20 Sermon Theme – “God on Trial: Respite”
March 29, Good Friday (1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
Sermon Text: Matthew 27:38-54 Sermon Theme – “God on Trial: Evidence”
March 31, Easter Dawn (6:30 a.m.)
Sermon Text: Isaiah 25:6-9 Sermon Theme: “He Wipes Away Tears”
March 31, Easter Festival w/ Holy Communion (9:00 a.m.)
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Sermon Theme: “The King Still Has One More Move”
**Please Note: Each service on Easter will be unique; come to the empty tomb twice!
We’ll have an Easter Brunch in-between the Easter services
But what did Jesus do on Wednesday? Scripture is silent. Yet I am led to wonder. Did our Lord stay on the Mount of Olives all day on Wednesday? For quiet prayer and meditation? I think so, because Matthew informs us that Jesus and his disciples had retreated there to spend each night of Holy Week in seclusion. (Matthew 21:37) Plus, during Christ’s busy public ministry, he regularly took time to go off into the hills where he could be alone for prayer. (Mark 1:35, 6:46, Luke 6:12, etc.)
So might I be bold enough to suggest that you and I copy our Lord on this Silent Wednesday? That we carve out some precious moments--5 minutes? 15? ½ hour? Even more? That we spend these moments alone, or with our spouse, our family, or a few Christian friends. Turn off the TV. Set aside the Smartphone or the tablet. Just bow your head. Fold your hands. And talk to your loving Father in a silent, unspoken, heart-to-heart prayer.
Sound like a plan? Good! Then this is where this Silent Wednesday encouragement can stop. Cue the crickets.
Unless. . .unless you’d like a suggested outline for your quiet moments on this Silent Wednesday? If so, keep reading.
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exod. 14:14)
The LORD parted the waters and rescued Israel when they were hopelessly trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the deep Red Sea. He has also rescued us—though we were hopelessly trapped by our sin, death and the old evil foe. He sent his Son Jesus to free us, to destroy the devil’s work! (1 John 3:8)
“Be silent before the LORD. Wait patiently for him. Do not fret when an evil man succeeds in his ways, when he carries out his wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
Our world often feels as if it’s been tipped upside down. Evil people everywhere seem to be getting the upper hand. Christians always seem to get dumped on. But our LORD knows our pain. He listens. He is still in charge. One day, on His Final Perfect Justice Day, every knee shall bow before him! (Philippians 2:9-11)
“Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is passing by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains and shattered rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a soft, whispering voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12)
Do we ever fall into the same trap the mighty prophet Elijah did? Do we dream of a day when the Lord will show himself in his divine power! In the mightiest of miracles! Thinking that then our world will finally sit up, take notice and bow the knee before him! That’s not how our Lord works. Instead, his saving power is found in his “soft, whispering voice.” (Hebrews 4:12) His selfless, giving love reaches out and envelopes us through his never-changing Word. (Matthew 13:31) His Word is all we need. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“My soul, rest quietly in God alone, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed. My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:5-8)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
PS: Our Holy Week and Easter Worship Services.
March 28, Holy Thursday w/ Holy Communion (6:30 p.m.)
Sermon Text: Luke 22:7-20 Sermon Theme – “God on Trial: Respite”
March 29, Good Friday (1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
Sermon Text: Matthew 27:38-54 Sermon Theme – “God on Trial: Evidence”
March 31, Easter Dawn (6:30 a.m.)
Sermon Text: Isaiah 25:6-9 Sermon Theme: “He Wipes Away Tears”
March 31, Easter Festival w/ Holy Communion (9:00 a.m.)
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Sermon Theme: “The King Still Has One More Move”
**Please Note: Each service on Easter will be unique; come to the empty tomb twice!
We’ll have an Easter Brunch in-between the Easter services
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