The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that you enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep you? rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse forty-seven of his book Luke shared how, “Judas, … went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him” where we read:
And while he yet spoke, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve,
went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
The verse reads, “And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, ...” Luke began with the words, “and while he yet spoke” or “and during the time and moment Jesus was still uttering, declaring, proclaiming and speaking”, “behold a multitude” which means “lo, look and consider a large crowd of people”, “and he that was called Judas” or “and the male human being named Judas which means he shall be praised”, “one of the twelve” which means “who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus” did the following. Luke shared how Jesus was “still talking” when a “large crowd of people” accompanied by His disciple “Judas” who did the following.
The verse continues, “... went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.” Luke added the words, “went before them” or “preceded and passed in advance of the large crowd”, “and drew near unto Jesus” which means “and approached and came near to Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “to kiss him” or “to affectionately and fondly show a sign of lover toward Jesus by a physical kiss”. Luke shared how “Judas” approached Jesus and “kissed” Him affectionately as if to demonstrate his “love” toward Him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn of this “kiss of betrayal” offered to Jesus by Judas. Jesus was still giving instruction to His other disciples when a “crowd” arrived who were being led by Judas. We can imagine the gang like progression of this “multitude” as Judas preceded them and “kissed” Jesus as the “sign” to who He was. God the Father and Jesus knew in advance these things would occur, and like the ultimate slap in the face, “Judas” used an “affectionate” physical demonstration to “deliver” Jesus over to the “religious leaders”. Jesus endured these things so people could be “saved” from their sins and live forever with His Father God, and all who believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be “forgiven” of their sins and receive “everlasting life”. All who refuse align themselves with “Judas” in betrayal and subversiveness that will lead to their “everlasting” destruction.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks Judas, “are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?”, 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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