When God is Quiet – The Power of Holy Wednesday

On Holy Wednesday—often referred to as Silent Wednesday—the Gospel accounts go largely still. There are no parables from Jesus, no miracles, no confrontations with the Pharisees. Just quiet. And in the background, a storm begins to stir.

This was the day Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' closest companions, slipped away into the shadows to cut a deal with those plotting the Savior’s death. For thirty pieces of silver, betrayal was sealed.

On Wednesday of Holy Week, the Scriptures fall unusually quiet regarding the movements of Jesus. No public sermons. No confrontations in the Temple. Instead, the Gospel narratives zoom in on the quiet plotting of His enemies—and the heartbreaking betrayal of one of His own.

While Jesus likely withdrew to Bethany in silent preparation for the cross, Judas stepped into the darkness, trading loyalty for silver, and intimacy for conspiracy.

This day reminds us that silence doesn’t mean absence. God is never idle, even when He is quiet. Behind the scenes, redemption is moving forward. In the stillness, hearts are being tested, and the stage is being set for the most pivotal act in history: the sacrifice of the Lamb.

But here’s the remarkable truth: While the enemy was plotting, God was preparing.

Reflection

Have you ever found yourself in a season where God seems quiet? Like Jesus on this day, perhaps you're resting, waiting, or preparing—but unsure what lies ahead.

Silent Wednesday teaches us that stillness is not a sign of weakness—it is preparation. It is a space where trust is deepened and distractions are stripped away. And just as Judas’ betrayal reminds us of the danger of hidden sin, it also calls us to bring our hearts before God in honest confession.

The Church in the Silence

In today’s noisy world, silence is rare. We equate it with inactivity. Boredom. Weakness. But in God’s economy, silence is strategic. It’s in the quiet moments where motives are revealed, prayers are deepened, and souls are strengthened.

Holy Wednesday challenges believers to embrace the stillness. To slow down long enough to hear God whisper. To pause in order to prepare.

Judas or Jesus?

Two paths are laid bare in the contrast between Jesus and Judas:

Judas chose deception.
Jesus chose devotion.
Judas moved in secrecy.
Jesus withdrew in sincerity.

One pursued silver. The other prepared for sacrifice.

The question is: Which path are we on? Are we using the silence to plot our own desires—or to position ourselves in surrender?

Application:

Sit with God in silence today. Not asking, not striving—just listening.
Search your heart. Are there areas of compromise, betrayal, or apathy needing His light?
Trust God’s timing. Even when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

Prayer:

Lord, in the silence, I draw near to You. Quiet my soul. Still my thoughts. Search me and know me. Cleanse me of any hidden sin and prepare my heart for what You’re about to do. Even when I don’t hear You, I choose to trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let the Stillness Speak

If God feels silent today, remember

so was Wednesday. And yet, that silence held eternal weight. It was the quiet before the cross, the stillness before salvation, the pause before power was poured out.

Use this Holy Wednesday not to rush, but to rest. Not to perform, but to prepare.

Because even in silence, God is never absent. He is always sovereign.