Mark wrote how Jesus said, “the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrays me is at hand. And immediately, while he yet spake, came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders”, and in chapter fourteen and verse forty-four of his book, Mark shared how “he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he”, where we read:
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying,
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
The verse reads, “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, ...”. Mark began with the word, “and he that betrayed him” which means “and Judas who delivered Jesus over treacherously to the religious leaders” “had given them a token” or “gave those who would capture Jesus a mark, sign or preconcerted signal”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Mark shared how Judas gave those who would capture Jesus a “sign” in advance of their arresting Him.
The verse goes on to say, “... Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.” Mark continued with the words, “Whomsoever I shall kiss” which means “the person that Judas would affectionately and kindly kiss showing a sign of love”, “that same is he” or “the selfsame person is Jesus”; “take him” which means “get possession of, be master of and have power over Jesus”, “and lead him away safely” or “and bring or carry Jesus off in an assured and secure manner”. Mark shared how Judas agreed to “affectionately kiss” Jesus to identify Him so the “arresting agents” would take hold of and “carry” Him away in a “secure” manner.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Judas plotted with the “religious leaders” concerning the way they could identify Jesus. As though they would not know who Jesus was, Judas told the “religious leaders” he would “kiss” Jesus in an affectionate manner so they could “carry” Him away in a secure manner. God loves people so much that He allowed this “plan of betrayal” to take place, and because Jesus already knew and submitted to this process, Jesus was paving the way for the “salvation of man”. Those who are wise will know and understand what Jesus did for them and realize how much He desires to have a loving personal relationship with them.
Next time Mark shares Judas “as soon as he was come, he went straightway to him … and kissed him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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