Betrayed With A Kiss
Opening Thoughts:
As we look at the Lord’s sufferings in His life, specifically His last week, one of the first things that we see is His betrayal. Betrayal is difficult in and of itself, but it is magnified when it is from a friend or loved one.
Scripture:
Prophesy: Psalm 41:9, Fulfillment: Matthew 26:47-56
Devotion:
In Matthew 26:48, Judas gives instruction to the hoard that was with him, “the one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” Clearly the crowd wouldn’t be able to capture Jesus. (Remember in Luke 4:30 when the religious rulers wanted to take Jesus by force but He walked through the midst of them.) But a friend could get close to him. The gospel according to Luke records the Lord asking Judas, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” You can sense the Lord’s broken heart as he is betrayed by one so close to Him. Yet we know that the Lord loved him and prayed for him.
Application:
In Matthew 5:44 the Lord gives us a principle to live by. He says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” When we are betrayed, our first thought is to retaliate but Jesus tells us that we should love, bless and pray for those who hurt us.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to follow your example to love, bless and pray for those who have wronged me.