The kiss that Judas betrayed Jesus with was not only an empty gesture but the worst kind of hypocrisy and treachery. It was tradition for disciples to greet their teachers with a respectful kiss. Judas used this sign of friendship to identify Jesus for the soldiers.
Luke 22: 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” [1] We don’t know what kind of intonation Jesus said this. As a human being, He may have been angry. But I think Jesus was probably more disappointed. Judas had been with Him for three years and heard His teachings. Jesus would have washed his feet earlier in the evening, but now the kiss was a dastardly act designed to destroy Jesus.
Why a Kiss?
Matthew 26: 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. [2]
Even though Jesus had been teaching in the Temple each day, the Jewish leadership did not want to arrest Jesus while He was in the crowds. Judas knew Jesus’ routine prayer habits and places. He knew no one except the other disciples would be there that night. There would be no chance of a riot. Identifying which man in the garden was Jesus would have been difficult because it was dark. So, Judas and the arresting officers had agreed he would use an everyday gesture, a kiss.
Our Hollow Gestures
If we are willing to learn, God can turn the evil of Judas’ kiss of betrayal for good. It is easy to point our fingers at Judas and his kiss as deceitful. Yet, as sinful human beings, we can be just as hypocritical. Some assume they have purchased their “fire insurance” because they participate in religious rituals. Or some make sure they do good works of service so others can see how godly they are. Yet, we don’t earn our salvation by our actions but by the blood of Jesus. Salvation is a gift.
Don’t get me wrong. Religious rituals aren’t bad. They can be good if they point us to Jesus and help our faith grow. But when rituals are done to show how good we are, they become hollow and meaningless. In a sense, we can still betray Jesus when our rituals, acts of service, or giving are insincere or done for show.
Paul explained living a sincere life for God this way: Colossians 1: 9We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. [3]
To learn more about an empty gesture, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-real-battle
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.