Betrayed With A Kiss

Luke 22:47-48 (NIV) “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?’” Luke 22:47-48

John 13:34-35 (NIV) “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

---

Judas Iscariot is one of the saddest characters portrayed in the Bible. As one of Jesus’ twelve innermost circle of disciples, he followed Jesus, hearing the messages, seeing the miracles, and believing Jesus could be the promised Messiah who would redeem Israel from oppression. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t get past how he thought the Messiah should do this. His philosophy was at odds with Jesus’ way of loving others to repentance. His desire to see the Roman Empire overthrown by the King of Israel caused him to betray Jesus, hoping that Jesus would inaugurate His Kingship in a riot against Rome. For the price of a slave, Jesus was betrayed to the Roman guard by a kiss from one of his close followers.

Judas was deceived into thinking that the gain would outweigh the loss. He may have thought Jesus would throw down the Pharisees and the Romans before it came to crucifixion. Maybe he assumed Jesus would call forth an army of angels to keep Him from the cross. No matter what he thought, it was a dire decision on his part. It was a tremendous church hurt elevated to a platform that we should learn from.

Betrayal and wounding among brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ are devastating. Hearts are broken, friendships and respect are shattered, trust is destroyed, and isolation from fellowship pushes people away from following Jesus. And Jesus gets blamed for allowing this to happen due to faulty followers. The one who laid His sinless life down to redeem mankind must certainly relate to the broken hearts when the Body of Christ suffers so.

Taking advice from King David in Psalm 139, we must learn to let our hearts be searched by the Holy Spirit and our sinful ways pointed out for repentance and change. We would be wise to watch our words before speaking foolishly, and letting them be used as fiery darts that wound. Our actions should be submitted to the Holy Spirit, who will guide us and guard our intentions. By focusing on our Christian love walk (see 1 Corinthians 13), we will grow in being the disciples Jesus desired to share Him with the world.

Remember, the world is watching closely and hoping that love is real. Before you take a step, speak critically or unkindly, or act impulsively in fleshly behavior, ask yourself if you are truly honoring Jesus in love. Be Jesus’ disciple to a lost and hurting world.