Articles
The Kiss of Judas
Judas kissing Jesus in the garden is one of the most striking details of the betrayal account. It was not at all unusual for those in ancient cultures to greet one another with a friendly kiss; that was simply their custom. So, it is not the fact but the irony of Judas’ kiss that is so striking.
Several facts highlight the twisted meaning of Judas’ kiss. For one, Judas had intentionally planned this kiss as the sign to identify Jesus as the one to be arrested (Matt. 26:48); this wasn’t a last-minute addition to the plan or an impulsive action—it was highly calculated. Secondly, Judas accompanied this sign with the reverent-sounding words: “Hail, Rabbi!” (Matt. 26:49). Above all, though, is the simple fact that kisses are given to friends, those whom you love and want to protect. Instead, Judas used this sign of close fellowship as his final sign of betrayal.
Jesus felt the full force of betrayal’s pain and hurt when he said, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). What Judas did was akin to hugging Jesus then spitting in his face.
Judas’ kiss was nothing more than feigned reverence and hypocritical devotion, motivated by an insatiable love for money and Satan himself. How dare anyone treat the very Son of God this way!
I wonder, though: how often and in what ways we betray Jesus with a kiss? Do we sing praises to God in worship, then go home and spew words of filth or anger from that same mouth (James 3:11-12)? Do we respectfully close our eyes in prayer, only later to use those same eyes to lust after that which is impure, unholy, and sensual? Do we demand “book, chapter, and verse” for all our teaching and doctrine, but parade our own righteousness around to be seen by men like the Pharisees did? Do we scorn the immorality in the world, but are ourselves enslaved to the greedy materialism of American society? The applications are endless, of course.
We are not thinking about an occasional stumbling into sin (we all are guilty of this), but a persistent, habitual sinful life masked by empty piety. This is what John calls “walking in darkness” while claiming to have fellowship with God; living this kind of life, we make ourselves and God a liar (1 John 1:6-10).
Jesus was not surprised by Judas’ kiss, though surely the other disciples were. He knew Judas’ heart better than Judas knew himself. And in the same way, Jesus knows when our worship or Christian life is nothing but a game of charades.
Yet, there is hope. Betraying Jesus is not an unforgivable sin; let us not respond as Judas did by hanging himself but like Peter who sought mercy in Jesus. The One who was betrayed will forgive His betrayers, if only we will “kiss” him with humble confession, poverty of spirit, and true devotion.
