Spy Wednesday

"Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him to them.  And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. So, he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude." Luke 22:1-6

Wednesday of Holy Week is customarily called "Spy Wednesday." This is the day that Judas went to the chief priests and religious leaders to agree to turn Him into their custody.  These same religious leaders were seeking "spies" for days; looking for reasons to silence Jesus in the midst of a huge Passover crowd who a few days earlier declared "Hosanna to the Son of David." In the last two days, Jesus has rocked their boat. He has taken a whip and cleaned out the corruption in the Temple. He has preached loudly against the hatred and violence of the time.  He pointed to the hypocrisy of a priesthood filled with pride and lordship.  And believe me, religious leaders really don't like to have their authority questioned. It was time to silence Him.

They were overjoyed when one of His own came to them to hand him over.  They had to pay Judas.  The law forbid testimony from an informant without giving them compensation.  They paid Judas 30 pieces of silver. That was quite a bit of money.  Exodus 21:32 states that "if the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver." It's the price of human life.  Judas, the stubborn ox, yields to his own will as to who and what Jesus should be.  When Jesus doesn't fit into his nice little box, he turns to those religious leaders who he thinks will force Jesus into the Messiah he wishes to see.

It is real easy to paint Judas as the sole villain of the Passion narratives. But, in all honesty, we have all been Judas. How many times has Jesus not fit into the warm and fuzzy Messiah of the Gospel According to Me? And when he doesn't, we too sell out into the image and likeness of our reality.  Maybe it's in casting judgement on others and their walk with the Lord. Maybe we can't believe so and so is really as a good disciple as I.  Maybe it's neglecting to love and turning towards shaking down thunder on those who disagree with us.  Maybe we just plain betray the Love by which we were saved.

We are all guilty.  But, what can separate us from Judas? We still have the opportunity to turn towards Mercy.  Jesus would have forgiven Judas in a heartbeat if he turned to Him. But, instead he despaired because he clung to the Gospel according to Judas in which his version of the Messiah could never forgive his betrayal.  We must never place God in a box.  Allow Jesus to be Jesus.  Allow Mercy to be Mercy. Allow Love to be Love.  It is only then that our betrayal could be forgiven.

The darkness draws nigh. Stay close to Him.