Walking with Jesus through Holy Week In Scripture and Prayer
Unknown to all, a spy had joined the gathering in Mary and Martha’s house. Jesus and the disciples had come for dinner with them and to see their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Mary was so thankful that she knelt at Jesus’ feet, poured a pound of expensive oil on them, and wiped them with her hair.
Across the room, Judas Iscariot was stunned by what he saw as a frivolous use of such costly oil. What could Mary be thinking? Scripture shows what Judas was really thinking—about himself. Mary, on the other hand, was too busy loving Jesus to be concerned with anything else. Her devotion only hardened Judas in his decision to turn Jesus over to the chief priests. Judas was the spy.
You might be thinking, “I’d never be Judas.” Often our betrayals of God are smaller: little compromises, quiet justifications, and subtle exits we make from God’s presence. Sit with that—and know Jesus will come, tap you on the shoulder, and bring you back to Him.
SPY WEDENSDAY
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.
Dear One,
I could never be a spy. I serve only you and I pray that when I slip away for a moment you are there to bring me back. I pray you will grab me and return me home to your table.
The Unwilling Wanderer