James Tissot [No restrictions or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Matthew 26:48-49; Mark 14: 44-45
The betrayal of a friend is devastating. To have trusted someone and then discover your trust was misplaced is to have your heart ripped out of your chest. Jesus KNOWS THIS! The betrayal of one He chose and loved for three years was part of His greatest trial. It appears to have set in motion HIs death. He was sold out for thirty pieces of silver. (Shekels of Shame, March 8, 2017; Jeremiah 19:1-13)
What I have not noticed before is the significance of the kiss. Jesus was literally kissed by Satan himself. “A murderer from the beginning,” kissing the Creator of all life. (John 8:44; Genesis 1) A kiss is an expression of love. Not betrayal. The horror of this takes my breath away. Satan, who was at one time, before his fall, before the throne of Almighty Triune God with all its splendor and majesty leading the angelic hosts in worship; Now, he has invaded a soul already known to be a thief (John 12:6) to “orchestrate” the death of the Son of God in an attempt to further discredit the Father. Look at the progression of the plan: a) he went his way, b) he communed with the chief priests and captains, c) covenanted for the money, d) made a promise, e) sought an opportunity to betray Jesus, f) sat with Jesus like all was well, and g) pointed Jesus out with a kiss! This is how low the enemy will cause us to go when we doubt the Savior and follow our own selfish desires. Satan loves only himself. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6)
Paradidomi is the Greek word for betrayal and is defined as to deliver one to be taught, to handover. Satan entered into Judas as Jesus Spirit had entered into the other eleven apostles when Jesus breathed on them (John 20:22). How the enemy loves to counterfeit all that Jesus does. Satan led Judas’ every action until Christ was crucified and then left him with his guilt and without hope of forgiveness which caused Judas to take his own life. Satan controlled Judas was at the table of the Lord’s Last Supper! Imagine eating with the one you know is going to serve you up on a silver platter just for the pleasure of watching you suffer. Do you see the significance of all Jesus said based on this revelation? When we allow Satan to use us for his purpose we are in grave danger. Satan loves nothing better than “to use God’s holy objects for unholy purposes.” (Beth Moore, Daniel)
Jesus felt the sting of betrayal in ways we cannot fathom. The touch of Satan’s lips on His holy face must have made Him recoil; The sadness He felt–overwhelming. He knows how you feel when one you love, have invested time, money, energy, and have sacrificed for betrays you and your confidence in them. Even though Jesus knew Judas would be the one to betray Him from the beginning, it still hurt. Read His words to Judas again: “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Sometimes even when we expect the worse, when it happens it is still a shock to our senses. Jesus just addressed Judas directly and looked deep into his’ eyes and when He did He saw His arch enemy looking back at Him. His intentional march to the cross had begun. All He had planned from the foundation of the world was now unfolding. (I Peter 1:20)
I think the only way we survive this kind of trial is knowing nothing comes into our lives without coming through the loving hands of God who will use all our experiences for our good and His glory. (James 1:1-13, Job)
Lord, Father in Heaven,
Help us to be careful not to betray others lest we discredit the Savior.
Thank you for the sacrifice paid by Your Son for our sins. To recognize this was the plan is beyond comprehension. Thank you for yet again proving He was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin. Amazing Grace!
The Kiss by Joe Niemand
https://youtu.be/k88Y8VGs7dY Judas’ Betrayal of Jesus
