June 20, 2012 The Kiss

The Kiss Mark 14: 41-45 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. HAVE YOU seen such an unholy kiss? Judas, you betrayer, you’ve done your dirty work. You’ve brought to Gethsemane a crowd of people who will follow the crowd, regardless of where it goes even if it goes to Hell. What are you thinking? What are the disciples thinking when they see you kiss their rabbi? You call him, “Rabbi!” but really he is no longer your rabbi. You’ve turned on him, and you’ve turned him in. You brought along some cowards who have only courage to arrest Jesus in the dark. Evil works at night, Judas, and you’re leading the way. How could you do this, Judas? What do you think of Jesus standing there to receive your kiss? What is it like when your lips touched his cheek? Does he back off to repulse you? Do you have any regrets, Judas? Do you wonder why you answered his call to follow? Do you feel hollow inside? Do you perhaps want to turn and defend him? Or is it too late? Pause and consider it’s not too late to give your Lord a holy kiss.