Matthew 26:14-16. (KJV)
Vs.14. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15. And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Luke 22:3-6. (NIV)
Vs.3. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4. and he went over to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guards to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5. They were, of course, delighted to know that he was ready to help them and promised him a reward. 6. So he began to look for an opportunity for them to arrest Jesus quietly when the crowds weren’t around. 

Devotional Thought:
Wednesday of Holy Week is often quiet, there are no crowds waving palms, no tables being overturned, no Last Supper being shared. Yet behind the stillness, a shadow is growing. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ own disciples, makes a fateful decision: he agrees to betray the Savior for thirty pieces of silver.

How could someone so close to Jesus fall so far? It wasn’t sudden, it was a slow erosion of heart. Bitterness, disappointment, and perhaps unmet expectations created a crack in Judas’ loyalty. And the enemy slipped in.

Reflection:
Spy Wednesday calls us to examine our own hearts. Where have we allowed compromise to creep in? Are there places where we’ve traded obedience for convenience or intimacy with Christ for comfort? This day reminds us that betrayal doesn’t always begin with a kiss, it begins with small choices that lead us away from Jesus.

This day reminds us:

• Loyalty to Christ is tested in private, not just public.
• Compromise starts small, but it costs everything.
• Our hearts must be guarded, surrendered, and searched.

Exhortation: Guard the Sacred
Spy Wednesday reminds us that proximity to Jesus does not guarantee intimacy with Him. Judas was close but not connected. He walked with Jesus, heard Him teach, witnessed miracles, yet his heart drifted.

This is a day to guard the sacred, to renew our commitment, and to lean into the presence of God with sincerity. Let us not just walk with Him but walk in Him.

The Price of Betraying Jesus

1. Loss of Intimacy. Betrayal creates distance causing God’s presence to feel far away.
2. Grieved Holy Spirit.  The fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit becomes disrupted.
3. Hardened Heart. Repeated betrayal can dull conviction and sensitivity to God’s voice.
4. Missed Assignment. It can cause you to forfeit divine purposes and opportunities.
5. Spiritual Vulnerability. Opens the door for the enemy to deceive, accuse, and devour.

Though Jesus offers restoration, the price is real, and the call to faithfulness is sacred.

Psalms 139:23-24. (NIV)
Vs.23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. 24. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 

Prayer:
Lord, search my heart today. Remove anything that would cause me to turn from You. Keep me close, loyal, and faithful, not just in my actions but in my heart. May I never trade my relationship with You for anything this world offers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Declaration: “My Heart Belongs to the King”
Today, I declare that my heart will not betray the One who gave everything for me. I renounce compromise, bitterness, offense, and anything that would draw me away from Jesus. I walk in loyalty, truth, and surrender. I totally belong to God. I am bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ. I choose faithfulness over fame, obedience over opportunity, and Jesus over everything. My heart belongs to the King, and I will not turn away. Today, I choose loyalty over compromise and surrender over self, and my heart is His completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reminder of our Fasting Period from 6am to 6pm…

consisting of fruit, vegetables, smoothies, juices, and no meat.