A Prayer of Watchfulness on Spy Wednesday
By Amanda Idleman
Bible Reading:
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. From that point on, he began looking for an opportunity to betray him." - Matthew 26:14-16
Read or Listen Below:
The Wednesday of Holy Week is known as “Spy Wednesday” because Judas Iscariot acted as a spy for the Sanhedrin. He accepted 30 pieces of silver as payment for information he provided that led to the betrayal of his master, Jesus. From the moment that Judas agrees to take payment for information, he begins secretly plotting against his leader, becoming a disloyal spy.
Judas’ legacy is a cautionary one that we should all consider! He walked alongside our Savior, ate with him, and saw Jesus bring the dead back to life! He listened as he explained the Kingdom of Heaven to the disciples and gave the Sermon on the Mount. He knew Jesus, yet his heart still turned cold towards him.
None of us are exempt from the temptation to turn our backs on Jesus, to give up our souls for a little bit of cash, to surrender to sin in hopes of feeling just a bit more critical in this life, to desire the upper hand more than we desire eternity. Judas gave into these temptations, and we are often prone to the same failures.
As we observe ‘Spy Wednesday,’ let's take a humble posture of watchfulness and remember that our sinful nature can lead us into dark places. Let us not be like Judas but instead embrace living with a repentant heart and seeking to serve God, not betray him.
Christ’s followers must live with hearts of love for our Savior to remain faithful to Him. When we allow bitterness, envy, distrust, greed, and lies to overtake our thoughts, we become an enemy of Christ. The fruits of the spirit must define our lives, or we can fall away from the narrow path (Galatians 5:22-23).
Judas got caught up in what could be gained in this present body. His eyes deceived him into believing wealth would bring him more joy than Heaven. What a tragic miscalculation he made! But how often do we make the same mistake? Choosing comfort, entertainment, wealth, and more all over Kingdom living! Temptation is real. We must live continually in the light, or the darkness will quickly creep in.
Following Christ requires intentional dependence on the Holy Spirit because we live in a world of evil and chaos. If even a hint of immorality enters our lives, we can easily backslide into darkness. We need God’s power at work every day to remain faithful to Him!
As we consider the Easter message, remember that God died so we could live. We have victory in Jesus but must continually choose him to remain faithful to his call. Judas reminds us that sin is prolific and can quickly lead us away from the life available to us through Christ.
Let’s Pray:
God, Thank you for the wisdom we see on display in the scripture. We can learn much from the people we read about in your book. As we observe Spy Wednesday, let the reality sober our hearts that the way to Heaven truly is narrow. Even those who walked with you felt the pull of pride, greed, deceit, and sin. Let us live with wisdom, watchful of our daily temptations. Would your Holy Spirit daily empower us to live a faithful life? Draw us close to you so that we would never be one to betray you. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/gabrielabertolini
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
