The Honor and Horror of a Kiss

Psalm 2:12 (ESV)
   ”Kiss the Son…..”

Father we recognize the Biblical symbolic representation of a kiss as showing homage, affection and friendship toward someone we highly value. In relation to a King it was a way of demonstrating respect. So we are not surprised that Jesus was honored in this way and was certainly worthy of such adoration.

 

However Father, we are stunned that such a noble jester was used to identify Jesus by his betrayer Judas.

He was listed among the 12, he sat in seat of honor at the Last Supper, he held a trusted position as their treasurer, and he was personally involved in the ministry of Jesus. Yet, under this guise of devotion he became the Devil’s tool in a multifaceted conspiracy against Jesus.

 

Luke 22:47-48 (ESV) 
   ⁴⁷  …… there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸  but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Father, I do not believe Jesus was surprised by the depravity of human nature nor of the deception that lurked within the heart of Judas. But he had to be saddened that a man of such privilege as a chosen disciple and apostle would succumb to the depth of such selfish ambition. Deception is evil in it’s every expression.

 

But none of this would hinder or prevent Jesus from sacrificing his life for the souls of men including those who conspired against him with such hostility and hatred.

 

Thank you Lord Jesus for love that knows no measure and mercy that knows no bounds. And I pray with the Apostle Paul for all of us: “…may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)

Amen

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