Judas Kiss

"They shared many intimate meals..."

I’ve pondered the role of Judas in Jesus’ life, especially during this season and as Passover draws near. Judas was no casual bystander. When Jesus called Judas to join His band of disciples, He saw the potential in his life. Jesus also knew the great betrayer that Judas would one day become and the role Judas would play.

And yet, He loved Judas and still called him to ministry.

Judas was a beloved disciple, a close friend. So close in fact, that Jesus entrusted Judas with the money and finances of the ministry. So close in fact, that they lived together, fellowshiped together, led and served together, broke bread and dined together regularly. So close that he served Jesus in many ways. Judas was more than a disciple, more than a friend; he was like a close family member to Jesus and a part of His beloved inner circle of disciples. Judas lived with Jesus during the three years of ministry. He partnered with Jesus and walked and talked with Him.

And yet, Judas would betray Him.

The last supper is the crowning moment leading up to the Savior’s betrayal by this beloved friend, resulting in Jesus’s ultimate crucifixion and death.

I’d never seen it in scripture before: during the Passover supper, John sat at Jesus’s right hand and Judas at his left. This was a seat of honor. And when Jesus stretched out His hand, offering the Passover bread to Judas, it was His last offering of peace to this beloved friend who would turn to become His betrayer. “Go and do what you have purposed in your heart.”

"Jesus offered the bread of peace to His betrayer..."

Afterwards, Judas leaves the gathering to betray the Savior for 30 pieces of silver and then leads a host of Jewish leaders and soldiers to Jesus’s secret garden: the place of retreat, the place of intimacy, and the place where the Savior prayed.

And there Judas leans in with a kiss: not a heartfelt, beloved greeting, but a kiss of betrayal.

I’ve wondered about Judas. Did Judas really know the Jewish leaders intended to kill Jesus? Was he disillusioned that Jesus was not a conquering and powerful Messiah as he imagined and wanted? Was Judas trying to force Jesus to perform a miracle and to rise as a conquering King? Did he become offended at the Savior’s ways? Did Judas only want money, wealth, honor, and prestige in serving his Rabbi? Was Judas even really a believer or only following Jesus for what he could gain? I’ve wrestled with these questions and more as to what led Judas to betray Jesus.

But as I ponder and reflect upon that Judas kiss, I see life’s truth. We all have, in one way or another, experienced some kind of betrayal in life. For some, it was a husband who said, “I don’t love you anymore…” and left you in a wake of devastation for another woman. For another, it was the betrayal of a close friend who suddenly ghosted you and left you with an aching void, wondering what happened. And you can’t fix what went wrong. For another, it’s that family member or close friend who turned their back on you and spread malicious lies. And they repaid your love with cruelty and punishment. For another, the pain of betrayal was discovered in the illicit affair going on right under their roof and in the intimacy of the home. Sometimes, the Judas kiss had no apparent reason, and a loved one suddenly turned on you with vengeance, hatred, and betrayal.

Another friend recently shared with me that her wealthy lawyer father had sent her legal documents declaring she was no longer his daughter and was no longer an heir to his estate after her parents divorced, and she refused to choose sides. The documents were drafted and signed along with her inheritance of ONE whole dollar. The sting of that betrayal still resonates through her tears today.

The Judas kiss can impact us all. And we, too, can identify with the Savior’s heart on a deep level of grief, abandonment, and betrayal. The Judas kiss is a type of death we all face in a betrayer’s wrath or the betrayal, even of a kiss. It’s a deep pain of loss, and one many of us have experienced.

"We have all experienced a Judas kiss of betrayal..."

But lest I’m too quick to cast stones, I must examine my own heart for traits of Judas in me. Do I only serve Jesus for the things He does for me? Do I seek glory in following Him, wanting a name or power and prestige? Would I be quick to ghost Him and take up an offense because I do not understand His heart and His ways? Would I turn my back or offer a betrayer’s kiss because my Savior seems to fail me in some way?

Or have I been a Judas to someone else? Have I hurt others with a carefully worded lie? Have I used a friend for the things I can gain, only to discard them with a casual kiss goodbye when they no longer serve my needs or purposes? Have I ever been offended and ghosted another? These questions stir in my heart as I look at Judas.

The Judas experience can bring us life in the long run if we look with eyes of faith and examine our hearts.

Betrayal is a dark place, but it’s temporary. As we embrace the Savior’s way and press through to the Cross of loss and suffering, of tears and grief, and offer Him our pain, He will bring life. In due time, He will help us press through until the wounds are healed into resurrection life.

Jesus had to experience the Judas kiss. It fulfilled scripture and was part of God’s plan. In our walk of faith, many could become bitter at this stage or abandon faith altogether. We all have a choice. Yet God will use any Judas kiss to bring greater sacrifice, character, love, and resurrection life on our journey, too, if we let Him.

Scripture commands us to bless those who curse us and betray us. And like Jesus, to offer the bread of peace. But ultimately, we must turn to the Savior and offer Him our hearts and suffering. He understands! Does He ever understand the kiss from Judas! Betrayal is only a part of the story; resurrection is the result.

So, hold onto faith! The kiss of death, in time, will turn to the kiss of life when you entrust your life and your story to His redemption plan.

"Your story is not over either..."

Beloved:

I understand the pain of betrayal. Bring Me your tears. Bring Me your heart. Turn to Me and don’t walk away. As you entrust your wounds to Me, I will heal your heart. I will revive your life in new ways—more than you could ever imagine. Yes, betrayal is a type of death. But I will bring resurrection life for you as you trust Me with your wounds. The story is not over...

“Then the one called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you?’ And they counted out thirty pieces of silver...” ((Matt. 26: 14-15)

“And while they were eating, He said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.’” (Matt. 26: 21)

“Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi’! and kissed Him. The men seized Jesus and arrested Him.” (Mark 14:45-46)