Spy Wednesday: Betrayal of Christ

4/1/2026

by Carson Scott & Ben Lambe

SCRIPTURE

Luke 22:1-6: “Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

Matthew 26:14-16: “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on, Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

DEVOTION

Today, on Spy Wednesday, we remember a quiet yet all too familiar moment in Holy Week: Judas Iscariot’s agreement to betray Jesus. Judas was one of the twelve disciples. He had walked with Jesus, heard his teachings, and witnessed his miracles. By all definitions, he was extremely close to Christ. However, Judas fell prey to the allure of money and his selfish desires. He met with the priests and teachers in order to betray the God of the universe for thirty pieces of silver.

Most experts agree that in the first century A.D., thirty pieces of silver was the equivalent of about four months’ wages. Let that sink in. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world—God incarnate— for four months’ wages. We might be tempted to say, “I would never betray Jesus!” However, you and I betray him every day for much less. Like Judas, we know who Jesus is. We know what He came to Earth for; yet we still betray Him. Every prideful word, every lustful thought, every covetous stare harkens back to Judas’ betrayal. Whenever we disobey God’s commands, we choose sin. We betray Him.

Praise God that this isn’t the end of the story!

For as Jesus said, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:7). All of this had to take place in order for Jesus to complete this perfect sacrifice through His life, death, and resurrection. Through this, we receive His grace, His complete forgiveness. We are washed clean, alive in Christ! He died for all of the times we’ve betrayed Him, in our thoughts, in our words, and in our deeds. As we remember Christ’s passion, let’s reflect upon this betrayal humbly, acknowledging our own sins, while praising Him for taking them away.

Prayer:
We pray: Jesus, you are our King, our perfect sacrifice. Forgive us for all of the times we have betrayed you. Help us to set our eyes on you, to cast aside our selfish desires and foolish plans, and surrender our hearts to you.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Grace and peace be with you all.

MUSIC

St. Matthew's Passion (17:33-18:05) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Interpretation:

This piece was written by Joahann Sebastian Bach, in commemoration of Good Friday. It details the entire passion history of Christ, as outlined within the Gospel of Matthew. During the section known as “Buss und Reu,” we hear the account of Judas’ agreement with the teachers of the law. In English, this phrase translates to "Repentance and Remorse.” These lyrics are included before we hear about Judas:

German text	English translation
Buß und Reu, Buß und Reu	Repentance and regret, repentance and regret
Knirscht das Sündenherz entzwei.	rips the sinful heart in two.
Das die Tropfen meiner Zähren	Thus the drops of my tears,
Angenehme Spezerei,	desirable spices,
Treuer Jesu, dir gebären.	are brought to you, loving Jesus.

It’s a reminder of the effects of sin upon our hearts. We are torn between loving Christ and loving the desires of the flesh. In this, we remember that our Jesus is loving.

POETRY

Conditional by By Seasum O’ Brian
If you knew who I was now
When I knew who you were then
Would you forgive me before
We ever became them?
If you gathered in the harvest—
Stacked and counted the bales
If of our soul-searing pain,
Numbered the bushels
Of our flesh-scalding tears,
Compacted the silos
of loneliness, doubts, fears-
If you could have counted the cost,
Would you have sown the first seed?
If you factored in lies, betrayal, mistrust,
Could you ever have loved me
Before they became us?

Interpretation:
This poem strongly connects to Spy Wednesday because it wrestles with the same idea of betrayal and the cost of love. Spy Wednesday was when Judas secretly betrayed Jesus despite the fact that he was once One of the close disciples of Jesus. In this poem, the poet asks the question if someone would still choose love in the beginning if they could have “counted the cost” of the betrayal, lies and pain. This reflects Jesus during holy week, when he knew that betrayal and suffering were coming, yet he continued to love and walk toward sacrifice for those same people who betrayed him. This poem raises the same question that Jesus answered on Spy Wednesday. Regardless of knowing the betrayal that would come, he chose love at the beginning and remained faithful to that love until the end.

ARTWORK

“The Bargain of Judas” by Giotto di Bondone

This beautiful fresco was painted for the Scrovegni chapel in Padua, Italy, by Giotto di Bondone in the early fourteenth century. The painting depicts Judas Iscariot with Satan standing behind him, discussing how they would betray Jesus. Judas holds a bag, presumably the thirty pieces of silver given to him in return for betraying Jesus. Judas is portrayed in a yellow cloak. In the medieval period, yellow was considered the color of deceit and treachery, and Judas is often identified by this color. Satan, with his hand resting on Judas’ shoulder, represents the Devil’s pleasure in this encounter.

Biographies:
Carson Scott and Ben Lambe are both seniors in Mrs. Huntley Cooney’s Honors English class. Carson and Ben have enjoyed their years at Pusch Ridge and are excited for opportunities outside of its walls. Ben is going to study Architecture at the University of Arizona, and Carson is planning on studying Theology.

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Spy Wednesday: Betrayal of Christ

German text

English translation

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