THE PASSION WEEK OF CHRIST #3

Wednesday of the Passion Week

Matthew 26

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests, 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me to deliver Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.

In Western Christianity, the Wednesday before Easter is sometimes known as 'Spy Wednesday, indicating that it is the day that Judas Iscariot first conspired with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins. There is however, a debate whether this happened on Tuesday of Passion Week. Several biblical theologians believe the Wednesday of Passion week was a rather quiet day.

This event is described in the three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22.

The Sanhedrin was gathered together and it decided to kill Jesus, even before Passover if possible. In the meantime, Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. Here he was anointed by Mary, with very expensive ointment. Some of the disciples were indignant about this; the oil could have been sold to support the poor. Judas went to the Sanhedrin and offered them his support in exchange for money. From this moment on Judas was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Would you ever imagine that after spending three years with Jesus you would betray Him? Judas was an opportunist who was easily influenced and not solid in his foundations with his belief in Christ.

Could this can happen to us? History shows we can be easily swayed by great speakers or slick politicians. How many people are “star struck” by our current President? Yet this week he stated that American was “not a Christian nation.” How many people are “star struck” by smooth television preachers? Yet many will not say that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

You see, we can get off track if our foundation is not solid with Christ. Hopefully, we would never “sell out” Jesus as Judas did. But are we willing to “sell out” ourselves for Christ? Do you put others or things before Him? Do you have a prayer life and spend time with Him? Do you regularly worship and congregate with other believers? Would your co-workers or fellow students or teachers know you are a follower of Christ? Do we tell others about what Jesus did for us? If not, aren’t you betraying Him!

Jody