Luke 22:1-6; 47-48
Now the Feast 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.
(v. 47- 48)
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?”
The poignancy of this moment rings down through the centuries. At the moment that will define both of their earthly lives, after spending three years together as the closest of friends, Jesus says to Judas,
“…are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?”
To be betrayed with a kiss means to be betrayed by one you have trusted; by one you thought loved you; by someone you have loved.
To betray with a kiss means to be willing to discard a friendship; to discard a person; by using that friendship and that person for some personal and selfish gain.
To betray in anger or to betray with a punch to the gut would be far more honest and far more honorable.
While this “kiss” was likely just the typical way male friends would greet each other in that culture, it is also highly symbolic. Judas’ outward greeting took the form of love and loyalty, while his heart harbored betrayal and deceit. In other words, he pretended to love Jesus outwardly while inwardly he was far from Jesus.
I think most of us have been at least a little like Judas.
We know what it is to sing worship songs in church while harboring secret sins in our hearts.
We know what it is to smile at someone while inwardly we think evil about them.
We know what it is to appear devout on Sundays but the rest of the week hide the fact that we know Jesus at all.
I think we know what it is to betray with a kiss. It is to be phony; to be hypocritical; to be two-faced. It is to pretend to love Jesus all the while knowing that, when push comes to shove, we will protect ourselves.
How much better for Judas if he had gone to Jesus in honesty and confession. How much better if he had said to Jesus, “Lord, I’m so confused! Some say you are the Messiah; some say your are a false prophet; some say you are the next King of Israel. Sometimes I think terrible things about you and I am tempted to give up, even to sell out. Help me Lord!”
How much better to admit his weakness, his fear, his sin? But instead, Judas smiled and offered Jesus a kiss, all the while planning to betray him.
May we learn to be honest with Jesus. May we learn to trust him with our doubts; with our fears; with even the worst parts of ourselves.
For any real relationship must begin with honesty. Jesus understands. Jesus already knows.
Trust him.
Pastor Brian Coffey
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1 comment:
Pastor, today's devotional was wonderfully clear and straightforward while still being lovingly articulated. It demonstrated a genuine "pastor's heart" and deep understanding of human nature. Thank you for leading us toward more penetrating self-examination --all to God's glory.
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