March 22
“While (Jesus) was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.’ Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him,” Matthew 26:47-50.
Jesus had gone to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, as He frequently did. Eleven of His disciples went with Him. The twelfth disciple was meeting with the religious leaders with whom he had made a deal to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. At the Garden, eight of the disciples stayed near the gate. Three of them, Peter, James, and John, were taken a little farther into the Garden. Then Jesus went about as far as one would throw a stone and knelt down and prayed. He asked His disciples to do the same. However, while Jesus prayed, the disciples slept, for which Jesus admonished them.
While He was still speaking to the disciples, Judas came with a great multitude to arrest Jesus. They were armed with swords and clubs, as if they were coming to arrest a horrible criminal. Judas, the betrayer, had given a sign to those who would arrest Jesus: “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him!”
When the mob arrived at the Garden gate, Jesus greeted them and asked, “Whom are you seeking?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I am He.” With those few words, He knocked the whole multitude off their feet! With those few words, Jesus demonstrated that He was the almighty Son of God! Jesus demonstrated that He was not overpowered by anyone. He had come into the world to be the Savior of all people, and He would willingly lay down His life to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
On an earlier occasion, He had told His hearers, “I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep . . . My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again,” John 10:11, 17-18. He willingly laid down His life on Friday on Calvary’s cross, and He took it again on Easter Sunday when He rose from the grave.
After Jesus proved to the multitude that He would willingly be taken captive, Judas approached Him and kissed Him. Jesus asked Judas the soul-searching question, “Friend, why have you come?” In love, Jesus was reaching out to touch the heart and conscience of Judas. However, Judas had hardened his heart, and the devil was in charge! Jesus reached out once more to touch his heart and asked, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Normally, a kiss is given to show one’s love. Judas’ kiss was one of betrayal!
When we read the account of the traitor, it should touch our hearts with a word of warning. It should remind us that for the love of money many lose their faith and love for the Lord Jesus! For all of us, there is the warning not to play games with the devil as the coach! Let this account move us to come humbly into the presence of our Savior, and to pray for the heart and strength to heed His admonition: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation!” Mark 14:38.
“Lord Jesus, Thou art going forth, For me Thy life to offer;
For me, a sinner from my birth, Who caused all Thou must suffer.
So be it, then, Thou Hope of men; Thee I shall follow weeping,
Tears flowing free, Thy pain to see, Watch o’er Thy sorrows keeping.
What can I for such love divine To Thee, Lord Jesus, render?
No merit has this heart of mine; Yet, while I live, I’ll tender
Myself alone, and all I own, In love to serve before Thee;
Then, when time’s past, take me at last To Thy blest home in glory.” Amen.