Why Judas? – A Spy Wednesday Reflection
Theme: The High Price of Low Loyalty
Sub-theme: Rejected by the World, Accepted by the Father
Text Focus: Matthew 26:1–16; John 12:4–6; Luke 22:1–6
Prophetic Connection: Zechariah 11:12–13; Psalm 41:9
He walked with Jesus. And still, he chose silver.
Judas Iscariot wasn’t an outsider.
He wasn’t a Pharisee, a Roman soldier, or one of the mocking crowds.
He was one of the Twelve.
He sat beside Jesus at the table.
He laughed with Him, walked miles with Him, cast out demons in His name.
He saw the miracles, heard the secrets, and held the money bag.He kissed the face of the One who created him — and betrayed Him.
Why Judas?
A Heart that Drifted Quietly
The betrayal didn’t happen all at once.
It started in the shadows.
With quiet compromise.
A hand in the money bag here.
A seed of greed, watered by pride.
A subtle disappointment that Jesus didn’t turn out to be the conquering king he expected.
A Messiah that washed feet? That talked about dying?Jesus was too gentle for Judas’ ambitions.
And so, the whisper of discontent became a door for darkness.“Then Satan entered Judas…” (Luke 22:3)
But Satan only goes where he’s invited.
The Religious Leaders Feared the Crowd
Jesus was too popular to seize in public.
Too powerful to challenge in the daylight.
So they needed a quiet path, a private location —A whisper in the night, a familiar face to lead them.
That’s why they needed Judas.
He was the key to the Garden.
He knew where Jesus prayed.
And for thirty silver coins — the price of a slave — he handed over the King of Glory.A deal in the shadows.
A signal kiss.
And eternity was set in motion.Prophecy Fulfilled, But Not Forced
The Scriptures had long spoken of betrayal.
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, who shared my bread, has turned against me.” (Psalm 41:9)
“So they paid me thirty pieces of silver…” (Zechariah 11:12)
But prophecy isn’t puppetry.
Judas chose his path.
And Jesus — knowing every step — still washed his feet.
Still called him “friend.”
Because love never fails, even when loyalty does.Two Sinners. Two Outcomes.
One ran to Jesus in tears.
The other ran from Him in despair.
Judas tried to return the silver.
He felt the weight of what he’d done.
But instead of reaching for mercy, he reached for a rope.
The saddest part?
He could have been restored.
The cross was for him, too.
A Mirror for Us All
Judas is not just a villain in a story — he’s a mirror.
He didn’t look like a betrayer.
He sat at the same table, dipped in the same bowl, and when Jesus said,
“One of you will betray Me…”
— Judas didn’t walk away.
He leaned in.
And with terrifying calmness, he asked the question everyone else did:
“Lord, is it I?”
Not out of fear.
Not to confess.
But to blend in.
To hide behind the crowd.The mask of hypocrisy was fully on.
He knew what he had done.
The silver already jingled in his pouch.
But he said the right words. Sat in the right seat. Played the part.And Jesus — with eyes full of sorrow, not rage — said,
“You have said it.”
How often do we do the same?
Hiding inner compromise behind the cloak of worship?
Asking holy questions with unholy intentions?
We sit at His table, sing His name, but our hearts whisper:
“How much is Jesus really worth to me?”
How often do we trade Christ for comfort?
For approval?
For success?
How often do we keep up appearances while hiding spiritual drift?
We sit at His table, sing His praises, and still…
our hearts whisper: What’s in it for me?
And Yet… He Loves Us Still
On Spy Wednesday, Jesus knew what was coming.
He knew betrayal was sitting beside Him.
And still — He served. He washed. He waited.
He waits still.
For hearts to return.
For Judas-types and Peter-types alike.
Because grace is wide enough for both.
Today’s Invitation
Reflect:
Is there any part of me secretly drifting from Jesus?
Repent:
What small compromises or silent betrayals have I tolerated?
Return:
Jesus has not turned His face from you. Not even now.
Prayer:
“Lord, search my heart. Remove anything that competes with You.
Give me a spirit loyal to Your name, not like Judas who sold You,
but like Mary who poured everything out in love.
Help me follow You in truth, even when the world rejects me.
I choose You — again and always.”
- 1 Reply
Trusted
Kingdom Pioneer Lord search my heart and remove what competes with You so I can give You alone my full attention in Jesus name
always lovely to listen to you Pst. Mike
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