Matthew
26: 48 - 49: 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.
It
was the custom that a student would greet his teacher with a kiss in Biblical
times – to show respect and to show submission.
It is similar to the kiss of a son given to his dad today! Judas chose
to use this sign of respect and love, to betray the Lord
How
often do we reverently
confess Jesus as Lord, yet we are continuously reinforcing ourselves as the true lord of
our lives? How many times have we
worshiped Jesus, saying and singing that we are in awe of his sacrifice -
with our
mouths - not
with a kiss but with words, only to abandon him from our
souls and our works again?
As much as we hate to confess it, there is a bit of Judas in all
of us. We pledge allegiance to Christ and make
promises to God, only to remove him from our daily lives the next moment. Sometimes
worship
and praise and betrayal and deceit live in the very same heart.
The only solution is to come back to Jesus Christ! The
only way out is to come to the cross for forgiveness, to turn from our wicked
ways and come to the Lord for new beginnings and reconciliation.
At the
foot of the cross we will hear the loving assurance: One day you will be with me in Paradise.
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