Spy Wednesday

The Wednesday of Jesus's last week before His crucifixion was fairly quiet. They rested in Bethany. But ... there was one thing, and it is the reason some refer to it as "Spy Wednesday."

In Bethany, a woman came into Simon the leper's house and anointed Jesus feet with expensive ointment. Matthew says "the disciples" were indignant, but it was primarily Judas Iscariot, the money-handler ... and thief (John 12:6). They protested, "This ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." Clearly, they were upset because Jesus's social justice mission was being violated ... except Judas. Jesus said, "She has done a beautiful thing to Me" (Mark 14:5-9). The Gospels record, then, Judas went to the chief priests "in order to betray Him to them" (Mar 14:10-11). "Spy Wednesday." Matthew records "they paid him thirty pieces of silver" (Matt 26:15). There is conjecture as to why. Maybe he was trying to spur Jesus to arms, so to speak. Or was just mad about the money. But we don't have to guess. John records, "The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him" (John 13:2). So, it was Satan's work. Interesting, then, that Jesus said, "For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" (Luke 22:22). Jesus's death was "determined." So was His betrayer. Judas Iscariot, from the outset, was going to betray Christ. God knew it. So did Jesus (John 13:10-11). And it was necessary. So it's fascinating to me that Jesus recognized that fact and held Judas responsible for the choice. "But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

Judas is, to this day, a byword for a traitor, a betrayer of friends. Judas was called like all the others and walked in Jesus's presence, but never entered into a saving relationship with Him. Judas was on the mission, healing and casting out demons (Luke 9:1-2). He was there for Christ's teaching ... first person. He was there when Jesus raised Lazarus. And Judas opened the door to Satan. He kissed his "Master" to betray Him. He ended up committing suicide. It's a stark warning that we who believe we are following Jesus don't find ourselves outside (Matt 7:21-23). Most important is that we know Him who called us. Proximity doesn't equate to security. We need changed hearts. Or we might betray Christ again ... just like Judas's kiss.