Spy Wednesday

What significant event took place on the Wednesday of the Holy Week? If Maundy Thursday was all about the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus, etc. and Good Friday was all about the kangaroo trial, torture and crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday was the glorious resurrection of our Lord, what, I wondered, happened on the Wednesday before.

A check on the internet raised a number of articles that said Wednesday of the Holy Week has been referred to as “Spy Wednesday,” when Judas Iscariot secretly met up with the chief priests to ask what they would pay for Judas to betray Jesus. In effect, it was when Judas agreed to “spy” on Jesus and eventually hand him over to the temple guards in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Does all this make him the “patron saint of spies?”

We generally believe that 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas was a generous sum, given the fact that it was payment for the capture of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But writers and historians suggest that it was nothing more than reward money for a low-life informant because 30 pieces of Roman silver coins was nothing compared to the alabaster of oil poured by “Mary” to anoint Jesus, which seemed to have been the trigger for Judas to sell out.

The first three books of the New Testament all give an account that just before Spy Wednesday, a woman came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why the waste?” they asked. This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.

The nard or spikenard oil, worth over a year’s wages then, is estimated by scholars at 300 Denarii. Given the life and times of the Jews under the Roman empire, we could assume that the woman literally poured her life savings on the head of Jesus for 10 times more than Judas Iscariot sold Jesus Christ to his enemies. I suppose it was also Judas who gave life to the term “petty thief.”

On the other hand, the alabaster of nard oil was indeed worth a lot of money but resulted in instant praise as well as a perpetual recognition and honor for the woman’s act of devotion. It also left us a reminder to express gratitude and love to those who minister to us in life. As Jesus Christ stated in her defense “She has done a beautiful thing to me… I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:10 & 13).

Although Spy Wednesday is not highlighted in the celebration or observation of Holy Week, it gives us much to learn from. The betrayal of Jesus Christ was a 2-for-1 deal for Judas Iscariot. On the front end he got 30 pieces of silver but ended up realizing he made a wrong move and lost the money and paid with his life.

Judas has been accused of being a thief, so it’s safe to say that without guard rails, without accountability and having an unteachable heart, there is a very strong possibility that our small sins, indiscretions or pride will cause us to betray or sell out someone or something more valuable, if we haven’t yet. Judas was unremorseful when confronted by Jesus twice, during the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Judas took the offer of the High Priest at face value on the spot. His pride prevented him from recognizing the consequences. It was only after he watched the suffering of Jesus Christ from a distance that he realized he was party to a mistrial and a miscarriage of justice. He returned the 30 pieces of silver but could not stop the turn of events.

In reflection, where are we in comparison? What are the things we insist on doing our way, what decisions are we making and acting on without thoroughly understanding the “why,” considering the true cost and consequence? Who suffers the most because of our mistake or actions? Are we selling ourselves short?

In the story, the indignation of the apostles revealed their focus on provision and budget in spite of repeated miracles and evidence of Christ. Unfortunately, that preoccupation with funds and feeding programs prevented the apostles from seeing the value and honor that the woman with the perfume was lavishing on their Lord and the fact that it pleased Jesus. Where are we in terms of faith versus fear?

The woman’s act of anointing Christ with oil is a reminder to all of us to honor and love back our leaders, mentors, parents, especially God and Jesus Christ who loves us. Throughout all his ministry, there were very few instances when the people showed love to Jesus Christ. Many were thankful, expressed gratitude, but few actually did what the woman did.

Our values show in our price list. The woman invested 300 Denarii, Judas sold out and collected a mere fraction. One who loved was invested in the Lord, the other who detested the Lord was selfish, profited at the expense of the Lord and “divested” from the ministry. What are you “invested” in?

During that episode, it was mentioned that Judas was upset about the wasteful use of expensive oil because he stole money from the collection. Even in the scarcity of things, there is always a thief and a self-entitled person helping himself to what little there was. While all the apostles had left family, homes and livelihood, Judas was on board in order to steal until there was nothing left to steal. Are you invested or divesting from God?

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]