Kiss of Death
Thursday, March 28
Kiss of Death
But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48
Betrayal is something only a friend or loved one can do. It is a wound inflicted by someone we once trusted, a piercing of the heart by those we hold dear. To betray one must first secure the trust or loyalty of another. It cuts deeper than rejection, stings harder than failure, and breaks us in ways we never thought possible. When Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, it was a betrayal of the deepest kind, a betrayal of love disguised in affection. The Scriptures refer to Judas as “the betrayer,” and his act of betrayal was a kiss of death.
But amidst the pain of betrayal, we find solace in the sovereignty of God. The betrayal of Jesus by Judas was not a random act but a fulfillment of prophecy foretold centuries before it occurred. God’s Word declared that the Savior would be rejected, hated without cause, forsaken, and betrayed by someone close to Him. All of this was ordained for the redemption of humanity, for our freedom from sin and death.
In the midst of betrayal, we see the profound love of God displayed. Jesus willingly endured the agony of betrayal, suffering on our behalf so that we could be set free. He was wounded and crushed for our sake, bearing the weight of our sin so that we might receive forgiveness and salvation. This is the unfathomable depth of God’s love, the highest gift bestowed upon humanity.
Today, as we reflect on the betrayal of Jesus, let us also embrace the profound truth of His sacrificial love. Judas betrayed Jesus because Jesus was destined to die. We know this because:
– The Scriptures prophecy that evil men will reject Jesus when he comes (Psalm 118:22).
– The Scriptures prophecy that Jesus would be “hated without a cause.”(Psalm 35:19).
– The Scripture tells us the Savior would be forsaken (Zechariah 13:7).
– The Scriptures tell us that Jesus would be betrayed by someone close to Him (Psalm 41:9).
– And finally, the Scriptures prophecy that this would all be done for you and for me (Isaiah 53:5).
Let us accept Christ as our Savior and experience the freedom and redemption He offers. May His sacrifice be glorified in our lives as we walk in the freedom He has purchased for us. God wounded him. God crushed him. All for you and me. He was bruised so that we could go free. Hallelujah!
Prayer for today: Loving Father, we thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, who endured betrayal and suffering for our sake. Help us to embrace the depth of your love and to accept the gift of salvation offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice. May we walk in the freedom and redemption He has secured for us, living as testimonies of your grace and mercy. Amen.