February 19th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JUDAS’ KISS OF BETRAYAL     

Matthew 26:47-50 “While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”  

According to at least one historian, the first recorded kiss was somewhere around 1500 B.C. Today kissing is associated with love and romance. However, according to at least one article I read, the betrayal kiss of Jesus by Judas is one of, if not the most famous kiss of all times. Today’s devotional verse is a written record of that kiss. 

Judas sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. As significant as was the value of those silver coins it was almost unfathomable that Judas would betray Jesus. To think, the prearranged signal Judas gave to the armed band that accompanied him to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus was a kiss. Even though Jesus responded to Judas’ kiss saying to him, “Do what you came for, friend,” Judas’ kiss was not one of romance or friendship. Judas used what usually indicated a deep love or affection or at least a friendship as a signal to the armed band to arrest Jesus. 

Jesus’ disciples deserted Jesus. Peter denied Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus. What about you? Every time when you have the opportunity to witness to someone Jesus is the Savior of the world and you do not, you join the disciples in fear of what the world will do to you if you stand up for Jesus.   

Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.” God bless you with a faith that does not “wimp out” when you have the opportunity to witness that Jesus is Lord. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, through Word and the Sacraments strengthen me in my faith in Jesus to remain faithful to Him in all situations that arise in my earthly life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink   
Tho’ pressed by many a foe;  
That will not tremble on the brink   
Of poverty or woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain   
Beneath the chast’ning rod,  
But in the hour of grief or pain   
Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear   
When tempests rage without  
That, when in danger, knows no fear,   
In darkness feels no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown   
Nor heeds its scornful smile;  
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown
Nor Satan’s arts beguile; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way  
Till life’s last spark is fled  
And with a pure and heavenly ray  
Lights up the dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith as this;  
And then, whate’er may come,  
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss  
Of an eternal home.  

Oh, For a Faith That Will Not Shrink // TLH 396