Deceived by a gesture of affection! That was the indication for the soldiers, guiding them on whom to take into custody. It was a cherished practice to greet a dear friend with a gentle kiss. Judas likely greeted Jesus with a kiss on numerous occasions in the past. This moment felt uniquely profound. He guided a band of six hundred soldiers, accompanied by chief priests and elders, from the Beautiful Gate, through the Kidron Valley, and onward to Gethsemane (John 18:3). From His serene place in the olive grove, Jesus could have observed the entire procession illuminated by their flickering torches.
The purpose of His coming was clear to Him. This is what He had lovingly cautioned the disciples about on several occasions. The embrace was ushered in by the heartfelt salutation, “Rabbi!” That signified “instructor.” Yet Judas had not grasped from the Master that the path to divine elevation is through humility. He had yet to understand that he could not compel the divine will. He had yet to understand that deceit is the path of the unwise. He had yet to embrace the most profound teachings: To cherish the Divine with every ounce of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to hold your neighbor in the same regard as you do yourself. He had listened to them countless times, yet none of the words truly resonated within him, failing to reach the depths of his heart.
We should reflect deeply on whether we have truly embraced the wisdom we have received. We might be familiar with the phrases, but do our actions reflect that we have truly embraced their meaning? Isaiah 29:13 We may refer to Jesus as our guide and express our affection for Him through our words in the company of fellow believers, yet do our actions reveal a different truth? I understand a glimpse of the profound sorrow that accompanies such a betrayal. I can almost perceive the sorrow in Jesus’ gaze as He asks, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48
Prayer: O Lord, grant me the strength to cast aside all pretense and guide me to embody the teachings I have been given!
