The Way Of Suffering: Jesus Is Betrayed
Matthew 26:47-50 (NIV)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
The mouth: a part of the body that requires discretion. We cover it to cough, we close it to chew and we open it to speak. The mouth is also a place of intimacy and vulnerability. From it flow words revealing our thoughts and hearts' desires. And mouth is used to give someone we love a kiss. More about the mouth later.
You may know that ancient Greek has numerous words for ‘Love’ each with its nuanced meaning. One of these is Phileo, simply meaning 'to love or show signs of affection towards'. In verse 48, Judas literally says, ‘Arrest the one I treat affectionately (Phileo).’ Then he walks up to Jesus and kisses him, not a brief touch, but fervently (Kata-Phileo). Judas betrays the one he claims to love with assumed passion.
(Another Greek word for kiss' used in scripture is Proskyneo, meaning ‘to throw a kiss towards someone, in homage' and is translated as ‘worship’. Hold that thought.)
Now, back to the mouth. James 3:10 states, ‘Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.’ Here is the hypocrisy of Judas’ betrayal. The same mouth used to give the kiss of affection towards Jesus is used to give the kiss of betrayal to condemn him to death.
This is a heartbreaking scene but one that, sadly, hits close to home. I, too, have done this … On a Sunday, I’ve sung loudly the praises of Jesus and then, in the next breath, thought words and entertained sinful sentiments that hurt the heart of God.
Reading this Scripture, I think of the hymn ‘Here is Love’ which reminds us;
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
We have all betrayed Jesus with a 'kiss', impure worship, but he responds with the kiss of grace. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us be people who are consistent in our love for Jesus.
Prayer - Jesus thank you for loving me despite the ways I have betrayed you. Let me use my mouth today to sing your praises and to tell others of your wonderful love.