The Betrayal of the Kiss

Luke 22:47-48 NIV "While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When we think of a kiss, we often picture it as a gesture of affection, closeness, and deep love—something sacred, pure, and intimate. A kiss can speak volumes without saying a word. But in one of the most tragic moments in history, Judas Iscariot took this beautiful symbol of love and twisted it into a weapon of betrayal. Judas, who had walked with Jesus for three years, who had witnessed His miracles, His compassion, and His heart of love, used a kiss to hand Him over to those who would crucify Him.

Jesus' words ring with sorrow, confusion, and grief. Can you imagine the depth of hurt in Jesus' voice? A kiss, an act meant to express love and friendship, had become the ultimate sign of betrayal. Judas had known Jesus better than almost anyone else. He had heard His teachings, watched Him heal the sick, seen Him show mercy to sinners, and even been part of the closest circle of friends. Yet, in this moment, Judas chose to turn away from that love—choosing 30 silver coins over the eternal love of Christ.

But what makes this act even more gut-wrenching is the irony behind it. The kiss, the symbol of closeness, was used to betray Jesus—who was the embodiment of perfect love. Judas used what should have been a sign of connection to deliver Jesus into the hands of the religious leaders who had been plotting His death. He sold Jesus for a price that revealed his heart’s true condition. That 30 pieces of silver was not just money—it was the price of his soul.

In Matthew 26:50, when Judas approaches Jesus, Jesus calls him "friend":

“Friend, do what you came for.”

Even in that moment of betrayal, Jesus still extends love and grace, calling Judas "friend"—a heartbroken, sorrowful, but still compassionate act. Can you feel the weight of that moment? Jesus, knowing full well the betrayal that was unfolding, still chose to love Judas. He still reached out with mercy, not with anger. He wasn’t caught off guard by Judas’ actions; He understood that this was part of the bigger picture of God's plan for redemption.

Judas' kiss is a powerful reminder of how easy it is to allow temporary things—like money, pride, and ambition—to distract us from what truly matters: our relationship with Jesus. Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 6:24:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

Money, pride, greed, and ambition are so often the masters that we unintentionally serve, placing them above the things that have eternal value. Judas' actions show us how those temporary desires can blind us to the eternal love of God.

But here's the beautiful part of this story: Even though Judas betrayed Jesus, Jesus still loved him. In Romans 5:8, we are reminded:

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Even in his betrayal, Judas wasn’t beyond the reach of Jesus’ love. And for us, this is the heart of the gospel. No matter how far we’ve strayed, no matter the mistakes we’ve made or the times we’ve chosen things above God, His love remains unchanging and unconditional.

When we look at Judas’ betrayal, we see more than just the dark side of human nature; we also see the incredible depths of God’s mercy. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but He still washed his feet and loved him with the same sacrificial love He showed to everyone else. This is a picture of the heart of God—even when we fall short, God’s grace is abundant. Even when we let pride or greed take over, Jesus offers us redemption.

Humility is the antidote to pride. If we want to avoid falling into the same traps as Judas, we need to humble ourselves before God. It’s so easy to let the pursuit of money, success, and recognition take the place of what truly matters. But we are called to live humbly, surrendering our will and our desires to God’s perfect plan. Jesus demonstrated this humility perfectly, washing His disciples’ feet and even serving those who would betray Him. We, too, are called to serve, to love, and to give with humility.

In James 4:10, we are encouraged:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Humility brings us closer to the heart of God, while pride pulls us further away.

So, how does all of this relate to us today? Judas’ betrayal serves as a wake-up call for all of us. Are there areas in our lives where we’re allowing pride, money, or selfish desires to cloud our vision? Are we putting temporary things above the eternal love of Christ? Maybe we're looking for fulfillment in things that can never satisfy or holding onto pride that keeps us from fully surrendering to God's plan.

The GOOD NEWS is that we don’t have to stay stuck in betrayal or sin. Jesus offers forgiveness. He didn’t give up on Judas, and He won’t give up on us. Even when we make mistakes or fall into the traps of pride and greed, Jesus' love is greater. He died for us—not because we’re perfect, but because His love is unfathomable. He offers us a new start, every single day.

Today, let’s reflect on our own hearts. Are we holding onto something that’s pulling us away from Jesus? Are we choosing the fleeting things of this world over the eternal love and joy He offers? Let’s humbly come before Him, asking for forgiveness, surrendering our pride, and allowing Him to lead us into a life of peace, joy, and purpose.

Because no matter how far we’ve gone, Jesus’ love is greater, and He’s always ready to welcome us home.