When a Kiss is Truly a Kiss

“While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs…Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you have come for.’” Matthew 26:47-50

There is not much written on the disciple, Judas Iscariot except the historical account of his betrayal of Jesus in the garden. But to understand how great the fall came through his betrayal of Jesus, we must understand his prior relationship with Jesus.   Jesus not only hand-picked Judas as one of his inner circle, but he made him treasurer of the group’s financial resources.  Judas not only traveled with Jesus, he studied under him for three years.  It is written in Scripture that on occasion Judas ‘helped himself to the money bag’ for his own gain.  Clearly, he had a weakness and a temptation greater than his loyalty to Jesus.  I gain a great deal of satisfaction and amusement when I think of all the secrecy, plotting and planning behind Jesus’ back.  Judas no doubt thought that his plan would not point the finger at him, since the identification would be made through a kiss.  But Jesus brought down pretense that day as His eyes met the eyes of the one who would betray Him in the garden.  ‘Friend, do what you have come to do.’ That was the signal of betrayal…outward loving affection with selfish inward motives.

Before we judge Judas, we must examine our own actions.  How many times have we said godly things with our mouths, only to hide things in our hearts?  How many prayers have we spoken only to use that same mouth to tear others down?  When our words or actions hurt and wound people we betray Jesus.  Plotting and planning with hidden motives will always plant that betraying kiss.   He has told us that what is done to others is done to Him.  (Matthew 25:45) Loving others well is not predicated with how well they love us.  Jesus gave us an example of complete forgiveness to those who have betrayed and hurt us.  Jesus had complete knowledge of what was in his heart, and what was about to happen.  He still considered Judas a friend, and no matter what we do He will continue to love us too. 

Our responsibility is to examine our walk and our talk, so that when we meet Jesus in the garden of our fellowship a kiss is truly a kiss.  He knows the heart that we bring to Him, and the true affection we have for Him.