You can’t betray someone from a distance; you have to be close. We expect our enemies to hurt us, reject us, slander and cut us. We’re ready for it. Betrayal, however, can only come from those we’ve loved. Trusted. Invested in. Walked beside. Counted on. Those who’ve broken bread at our table, laughed in our living rooms, and cried on our couches. Those who were supposed to take care of us. The unkindest kiss of all has to come from a friend.
The first “kiss” mentioned in the Bible is a kiss of betrayal. All the way back in Genesis, Jacob disguises himself in order to steal his brother Esau’s blessing. Genesis 27:26-27 says, “Then [Jacob’s] father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So [Jacob] came near and kissed him.” This kiss deceived a father and robbed a brother. Betrayal.
Joseph knew betrayal when his brothers threw him in a pit.
King David knew it when his longtime friend and army commander Joab defected to Adonijah.
You’ve known it. I’ve known it.
None of these compares to the kiss of Judas. What did the 30 pieces of silver feel like in the betrayer’s hand? Had his feet dried all the way from when Jesus washed them earlier that night? What did it look like the night the “keeper of the purse” commanded the angry crowd?
Soldiers and pharisees followed Judas up the Mount of Olives. They carried torches, lanterns, weapons, and hate. Judas knew exactly where his friends were, as a friend would know, because he’d been there so often (John 18:2).
Mark 14:44-45 says, “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to [Jesus] at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.”
Jesus saw straight through Judas. He knew all along the money-man from Iscariot would stab him in the back. Yet in all the darkness he endured, we can find strength. The gospel is good because He suffered as one of us, endured betrayal, and overcame it. His death is my life. His hurt bought my comfort. And even by his emotional stripes, I am healed. Here are five ways his betrayal becomes our blessing.
- Jesus knows our pain. He knew the sorrow and gut punch of betrayal. He knew what it was like to pour teaching and ministry (and miracles!) into someone for it to end in disaster. Maybe you’ve endured a horrible betrayal. Maybe someone you loved ended up wounding you. Take comfort that Jesus knew your pain. He even knew his betrayal was coming. He endured it along with every other hurt.
. - Jesus doesn’t just empathize; he heals. The cross was the result of betrayal and the remedy for it. He will never leave or forsake his children. He will never betray us. He never acts one way towards us while feeling another. He earned for us what we could never earn ourselves: a right relationship with God.
. - He paid the price for our betrayal. Maybe you’ve wounded someone who trusted you. I want to make this clear: If you are in Christ, you are NOT Judas. Judas was not “reinstated” like Peter. Satan entered Judas (Luke 22:3). Judas hung himself (Matthew 27). If you are saved, your act of betrayal was paid for by Jesus at the cross, and he has bought you back. Run to him. Confess your sin. Repent and seek forgiveness. Your sin was not small, but neither was the cross.
. - His abandonment brought us near to God. While only one delivered the kiss of death, all Jesus’s followers abandoned him (Matthew 26:56). Peter denied him. One even ran away naked (Mark 14:52). Everything Christ faced on the cross, he faced alone without friend or comforter. But what reconciliation happened that mighty resurrection Sunday! Jesus reunited with every single disciple (except Judas), and they were filled with amazing boldness. Almost all of them were martyred. Because he was betrayed unto death, He is able to reconcile offenders to himself. This is the message of Easter.
Whatever kiss of betrayal you’ve endured, look to the cross this season and draw near to your Savior. The kiss that began his death, began our life! Trust the one who overcame. He is able to redeem every single betrayal in your life for his eternal glory.