Mark 14:43-52
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” "Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
A Judas kiss! An outward sign of affection masking a heart of betrayal!
A kiss of death! Not only for Jesus! Judas didn’t realize it was a kiss of death for him too! Yes, Jesus will be put to death on a cross, but Judas will be sooner dead by his own hand!
Two hearts: One true and another false. One loyal, the other traitorous! One full of light, the other darkened with clouds of greed!
Earlier that night one washed the other’s feet. Within hours the other betrays Him with a kiss.
Jesus has the peaceful conscience of a Teacher who has done everything in His power to save Judas. His former student has 30 pieces of silver in his pocket and a growing hole in his heart.
In a few minutes Judas will seek peace at the end of a rope.
But real peace only comes in being true to Jesus. Freely receiving His forgiveness and loyally seeking to please the Teacher! Being the best student we know how!
Because we are in a relationship with the Teacher just as Judas was! And this connection is all about the heart.
May all our outward displays of affection for Jesus – our works of service - be from a true heart of love for Him?
Otherwise, it may begin to look a little like a Judas kiss.
I have a friend who uses the phrase "Rally? I mean, really?" often. It almost seems as if this si what Jesus is saying. Clubs? Swords really?
ReplyDeleteThey come to get Jesus - in the evening - in a garden away from the crouds. This isn't lost on Jesus - and without calling them so, points out their cowardice.
"Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me."
But he doesn't stop there. He also points out another truth that in all their studies they had missed. He ends with "But let the scriptures be fulfilled."
He's pointing out they they are fulfilling what the prophets long ago had said would happen.
He was despised and rejected by men
Surely he has bourne our griefs
He was wounded for our transgressions
He was oppressed and afflicted
Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter
(Isaiah 53:3,4,5,7)
He points out their weakness, and tells them they are fulfilling the prophets. Yet they are oblivious.
What would Jesus look at us and ask, "Really" about?
What are we oblivious to that should be plain to us?
What is Jesus trying to tell us, that we keep missing?