To this day, a "Judas" is someone who betrays under the guise of friendship. They get close, personal, even "affectionate," then they stab you in the back. The event was marked ... by a kiss (Luke 22:47-48). It wasn't just that Judas betrayed Jesus; he betrayed him with a sign of love and devotion while being disloyal. He betrayed Jesus through an affectionate gesture. And I ask myself ... do we do that?
I'm afraid we do. Like ... someone brings a problem to you and you tell them, "I'll pray for you" ... and don't ... a sign of concern while refusing to love. We sing worship songs with great passion while refusing to reconcile with someone we've wronged (Matt 5:23-24). We volunteer at church or give to Christian causes while ignoring clear sin in our lives. We use "Christian" as a ploy to gain trust or influence without having His character. We obey the commands that are easy while we refuse the commands that are hard. We treat Jesus like a consultant rather than as Lord.
I bet you could come up with many more examples. I know I have in my own life. It hurts. And when I see it in the light of "just like Judas's kiss," it cuts me deeper. Judas didn't renounce Jesus ... He approached Him and signaled love and loyalty. He offered closeness without surrender. I ask myself how much of what I'm doing too closely mimics Judas in the garden? How about you?
1 comment:
Far too often, and it concerns me.
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