SPY WEDNESDAY

It is Holy Week. 

I didn’t grow up in the church, and though I knew about Easter, I had no idea there was a whole week. When I was a teenager, I began to work at a Methodist church and soon discovered events like “Maundy Thursday” and “Good Friday.” As an older adult, more pieces were soon discovered about each day of Holy Week, but I never quite understood what happened on Wednesday. In the traditions that I had experienced, it seemed like it was a day when no one really knows what Jesus did. 

This year, my curiosity was high so I decided to do some research. For those of you that are curious as well, I discovered that scholars really don’t know what Jesus did this day. Many believe He was in Bethany and rested due to a busy prior couple of days. 

But I did discover something interesting. Some church traditions call Wednesday “Spy Wednesday.” My mind kind of went all Hollywood on me - thinking of the CIA and some sort of action chase scene. Spy? What? 

Then, I read more. 

Spy Wednesday is the day to remember Judas and his conspiracy against Jesus. We find Judas, in Luke 22:1-6, going to the chief priests and discussing with them how he might betray Jesus. The priests were glad to see Judas and even more pleased with this offer. Judas took 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15) and began to think about when it would be good to turn Jesus over. 

Ugh - not a feel good moment in the Bible for sure. It is heavy for me to process. One of the twelve disciples, aka Jesus’ closest and most trustworthy associates, was a traitor. 

In modern times, we sometimes jokingly call someone a “Judas.” It usually happens in the context of a person doing something that we would classify as  “extremely bad.” 

Sadly, we are all sinners. 

We do things that aren’t Jesus-like. We replace Jesus with things that we feel are more important. Those things are our 30 pieces of silver. Remembering this event and acknowledging that we screw up doesn’t exactly give a warm and fuzzy feeling. However, sitting in reality of my own sin and shortcomings reminds me of how very important Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Holy Week are. I appreciate Jesus’ death and resurrection so much more! 

So, take some time today to write down some of your sins on a piece of paper. Save the paper and tear it apart on Easter Sunday in celebration of Jesus saving us from our sins and death.

Because there is hope, grace and mercy for a sinner like me. And there is hope, grace, and mercy for you and for us all! 

- Jody Lukowiak, Children’s Pastor