Luke 22:47-48

Luke 22:47-48 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Judas, who was not Christ's enemy but a member of his entourage, betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Matthew and Mark's account say this signal was prearranged, probably to avoid mistaken identity in the dark of night. Before Judas reached Jesus, others undoubtedly greeted him since he was one of the Twelve. Some may have been pleased to see him or asked where he has been. But Judas had something other than friendship spawning in his heart as he approached the Lord. He desired wealth, maybe even fame among the Jewish elite because for all time, he would be known as the man who brought Jesus down. I wonder what Judas thought and felt in his heart as he pushed toward Jesus. Was it bitterness and anger, self-interest, a need to feel important? We do not know what led Judas to this moment, but each of us must take inventory of our hearts. If we allow seeds of self--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does, to inhabit our hearts, we stand in danger of betraying the Lord in our lives. If we live mainly for ourselves and not for others, we must beware of our true intentions. Are we following Christ for ourselves or for him? Are we promoting ourselves for self-aggrandizement, or are we trying to be ALL THAT GOD WANTS US TO BE FOR HIS PURPOSES. Great differences separate these motivations. The former can lead to betraying Christ; the latter can lead to total commitment, even martyrdom for the gospel. The former can destroy our eternal souls; the latter will lead us to a life of joy and peace in Christ where the flesh loses its power to control us.

Christianity is not just another way of living: it is LIFE, here and for eternity. In America, we sometimes make Christianity an addendum to our lives, an agenda for success and happiness, something we add to our existence. Our belief system offers an attractive proposition if it leads us to self-fulfillment and personal security, but faith in Christ may not seem a very attractive idea if it leads to losing our lives. However, the Bible says that we have been bought with a price, even the blood of Jesus Christ; therefore, we are not our own. We no longer strive to do our will, but the will of the Master. Now, many construe the Master's plan to include two cars in the garage, a nice house with plenty of room, and a happy mate and loving children in the living room. While God may very well give us these blessings, He sometimes overrides our hopes and dreams with plans that might require earthly pain and suffering. As members of Christ's body, we should bear fruit where He plants us, sometimes in very challenging environments, with a lack of amenities or very difficult mates, BUT GOD STILL ASKS US TO LIVE HIS LIFE, not ours.

Yes, Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss that night, much to his own sorrow, for he later hanged himself. We also can betray Jesus by going out and living our lives as we desire instead of according to God's plan. If we seek the world and everything it offers, we will eventually understand that we, too, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of worthless silver. Silver will not buy peace, will not secure a place in heaven, will not yield the happiness we so desire in life. Only following Christ will bring everlasting contentment and security. He alone is the door to heaven, and only He brings real satisfaction in life, that which is eternal. Who will we seek today; who will we offer a kiss of greeting or affection? Will we embrace the world or Jesus? When Judas kissed Jesus that night, he was really expressing love for the world. He had made his choice, to live for the world. My breakfast friends, in view of the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, let us allow the Spirit to search out any hypocrisy in our own hearts, any lack of commitment. Let us be genuine and live for Jesus alone