Holy Week - Journey to the Ultimate Overcomer: Holy Tuesday

By Shelsea Becker

Holy Tuesday. Purple.  - Wisdom, Understanding, and Repentence.

Yesterday we looked at the color purple from the standpoint of royalty. Jesus came in and was received like a King, and we spent time thinking about reverence—what it means to be in the presence of authority, the King of Kings. Today, the color is still purple, but now we see another layer. Purple also represents wisdom and understanding, and interestingly enough, it all ties back to the priest’s breastpiece. The stone amethyst—that deep, rich purple—was assigned to the tribe of Issachar. We don’t hear much about Issachar, but what we do know is powerful. In 1 Chronicles 12:32, they are described as the ones who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Not just aware, but discerning. Not just seeing, but knowing how to respond.

And here’s where it connects even deeper. Isaiah 11:2 tells us that wisdom and understanding rest upon the shoot of Jesse—Jesus. So what Issachar carried in part, Jesus carried in fullness. Now let’s go back to Issachar’s father, Jacob. On his deathbed, this is what he said about his son: “Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags. He saw that his resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, so he leaned his shoulder to bear a load…” (Genesis 49:14–15). He referred to him as a donkey, and immediately my mind goes—what did Jesus come riding in on? That’s right, A DONKEY. And not only that, Jesus is the One who bears our load. Scripture tells us to cast our burdens on Him. So now we have this picture of Issachar—strong, steady, carrying weight—and Jesus, riding in on a donkey, carrying the weight of the world.

Issachar represents strength, stability, discernment, and a willingness to carry responsibility, and that is exactly what is required of us. We have to be people who are aware of the times, people who don’t just react but discern, people who are strong enough to stand and steady enough to help carry one another. And all of this leads us to repentance. Because repentance isn’t just about emotion—it’s about understanding. It’s about wisdom. It’s about seeing clearly enough to say, “Lord, I need to turn.” Understanding leads, wisdom confirms, and repentance follows.

So today, Holy Tuesday, ask for eyes to see, ask for discernment, and ask for wisdom. Because when you truly understand the moment you’re in, you will know exactly what to do.

💜 Shelsea