Spy Wednesday • Judas Iscariot

Today is Holy Wednesday and it's called the 'Spy Wednesday,' possibly from the 3rd or 4th century onwards. Jesus remained in Bethany throughout the day and stayed the night there. The Gospels don't have serial records of the details of this day, but it's known that Jesus was busy preparing for the Last Supper and Judas the Spy was busy conspiring with the Sanhedrin for the arrest of Jesus. 'Spy Wednesday' talks about the necessity of Jesus' death. Judas acted as the 'Spy' and Wednesday was the day he chose to betray the Saviour. The mediaeval Christians gave him the title 'Spy' because of his action. Mary on the other hand prepared Jesus for his death by anointing him with the expensive perfume. She knew that Jesus must die in order to be the 'Resurrection and the Life' as he promised. But Judas probably didn't expect such an empty handed Messiah like Jesus who had nothing much to offer him, so he wanted to gain something by selling him and thereby he was preparing for his arrest and death. Judas was wrong in selling the Saviour in exchange of his own earthly gain and tragic death, but Mary was right in owning the Saviour by her commendable foresight, love and sacrifice. 

Lesson: Judas' evil conspiracy and betrayal of Jesus led him to judgment and destruction, but Mary's good sacrifice and love for Jesus led her to eternal life. Conspiracy earned curse and love earned blessings