And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”
What really happened in this moment of betrayal?
This moment was the first of many that broke Jesus down physically and emotionally as He proceeded to the cross. No doubt dark in the Garden of Gethsemane at this late hour, Judas had arranged a signal with those coming to arrest Jesus that included a kiss. During the time of Jesus, a kiss was a greeting used in the present-day culture, including amongst followers of Jesus.* It was a greeting of friendship and intimacy which could be used between friends or between a rabbi and a disciple. Using such an intimate greeting as a vehicle for betrayal would have cut deep.
Furthermore, Judas wrapped this kiss in an act of disrespect. Judas greeting Jesus first was a statement of equality, something no disciples should assume or self-assert toward their rabbi.* This seemingly small act spoke volumes to the posture of the heart of Judas. While his words called Jesus, rabbi, his actions said, “I do not follow you.”
Finally, Scripture says that Judas came to Jesus “at once.” Other translations say, “straightaway.” This reveals that Judas wanted to provide no opportunity for Jesus to escape; his haste implies a complete commitment to his dark mission and a desire to see it completed.* It’s one thing to betray a friend, it’s another to scheme so diligently as to ensure it’s success.
These acts of insult and betrayal only mark the beginning of Jesus’ difficult journey. Scripture also tells us that the disciples fled. In the rabbinic culture, a disciple fleeing when their rabbi was challenged would have been a great insult.* In this instance, all of the disciples fled, thus magnifying the effect.
Why is it important to note these weighty matters?
Until we understand the reality of the shame and difficult that Jesus endured, we will hold an incomplete picture of the gift that Jesus gave us all by taking His place on the cross and His place on the way to the cross.
Jesus was clear that God would grant Him escape from that moment with convincing and overwhelming power and show of force if He asked, but Jesus knew that His Father had another way. God had a way to the cross. It was for you; it was for me.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember the cross. Perhaps God wants you to see the shame that Jesus endured and realize the friend that He is to you. Maybe God wants you to remember that Jesus took the shame so that you wouldn’t have to carry it.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 672–677, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt Mt 26:47–56).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).