“Spy Wednesday”—so named for the conspiracy against Jesus—is a hope-giving study in contrasts unfolding in three scenes.
The opening scene is set in the courtyard of Caiaphas, the high priest. Chief priests and elders gather in secret, conspiring to arrest Jesus treacherously and kill him. The closing scene returns to the chief priests, now joined by Judas Iscariot. He is eager to learn how he might profit from betraying Jesus. Thirty pieces of silver are paid, and he sets out to seek an opportunity.
As the chief priests conspired with the high priest in a courtyard, Jesus reclined in the home of a man who couldn’t shake his reputation. Though Simon had been healed, he was known as “the leper.”
While the chief priests approached Caiaphas, a man whose name was well known, an unnamed woman approached Jesus. Whereas Judas would receive 30 pieces of silver, she brought a jar of perfume valued at a year’s wages—likely her life savings. While men bargained over Jesus’ life, this woman carried her life in her hands, broke it, and poured it over Jesus’ head.
The disciples, outraged at the inefficiency, scolded the woman: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor” (Mark 14:4–5). But Jesus scolded them for bothering her. They would always be able to care for the poor. But they would not always be able to care for him, especially in his final hour.
As the religious elite conspired to act treacherously, this unnamed woman did what Jesus called “a beautiful thing” (Matt. 26:10). While others maneuvered to promote self-interest at the cost of Jesus’ life, she sacrificed all she had to serve Jesus. Judas would forever be known as “the betrayer.” But “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:9).
The religious elite and those in power should have celebrated the King when he appeared. But they didn’t—and, too often, they still don’t.
His kingdom threatens those devoted to their own dynasties. That is why Jesus wasn’t found among them—and isn’t today.
The King was found among the poor, the despised, the rejected, and the nameless. Those with nothing in this world to lose stand ready to inherit the earth. They receive him because his presence is worth the world’s reproach. Jesus does not despise or reject such disciples—he loves them to death.
On Spy Wednesday, Jesus made his purpose plain: “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified” (Matt. 26:2). He would drain the cup of God’s wrath, dying to save unknown, unnamed, despised sinners like you and me.
In the dark days of political upheaval, conspiracy theories, and financial uncertainty, Spy Wednesday offers resurrection hope. It reminds us of the upside-down nature of Christ’s kingdom—and the hope offered to the little people who enter it by faith.
These days tempt us to fix our eyes on the theatrics of politicians whose names are constant headlines. Self-serving leaders jockey for power, promising to fix everything in exchange for our loyalty. Sometimes, we imagine that their chambers of power must be where Christ’s kingdom is found—and that it cannot flourish without them. We foolishly believe we can conspire with them and live.
Spy Wednesday calls us back to gospel sanity. The King did not need the partnership of the powerful to redeem the world—and he doesn’t today. The conspiracies of the world did not thwart his saving reign—and they won’t today. Self-righteous chiding did not keep a nameless woman’s worship from being received and remembered—and nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
The nations rage and the people plot, but don’t join them. Kiss the feet of Jesus—for “blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Ps. 2:12).
Eric Schumacher is a husband, father, author, and songwriter who lives in Iowa. He has written several books, including The Good Gift of Weakness: God’s Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption.
