The Kiss of Judas

Gepubliceerd op 21 januari 2026 om 06:26
The Kiss Of Judas
Judas Iscariot walked beside Jesus.
He ate with Him.
He listened to His teachings.
He witnessed miracles that made the blind see and the dead rise.
Judas was not an outsider.
He was one of the Twelve.
Jesus trusted him enough to place the money bag in his hands.
“He was put in charge of the money bag and used to help himself to what was put into it.”
— John 12:6 (NIV)
At first, Judas looked obedient.
When Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, Judas went as well.
“Jesus called the Twelve to him and sent them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.”
— Mark 6:7 (NIV)
He preached.
He walked.
He served.
But obedience on the outside does not always mean devotion in the heart.
When Greed Quietly Enters the Soul
One night, a woman named Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet.
The fragrance filled the room.
Judas spoke not in love, but in disguise.
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
— John 12:5 (NIV)
It sounded holy.
It sounded compassionate.
But Scripture reveals the truth:
“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief.”
— John 12:6 (NIV)
Greed rarely announces itself loudly.
It hides behind good intentions.
It wears the mask of reason.
And once greed settles in the heart, it opens the door to darkness.
“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.”
— Luke 22:3 (NIV)
Thirty Pieces of Silver
Judas went to the chief priests.
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?”
— Matthew 26:15 (NIV)
They weighed out thirty pieces of silver the price of a slave.
That night, Judas led soldiers to Jesus.
He approached Him not with a sword, but with a kiss.
“The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”
— Matthew 26:48 (NIV)
And Jesus said:
“Do what you came for, friend.”
— Matthew 26:50 (NIV)
Even in betrayal, Jesus spoke without hatred.
Regret Without Repentance
When Judas realized what he had done, guilt crushed him.
“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
— Matthew 27:4 (NIV)
But instead of running to God, he ran away.
He returned the money.
And then he took his own life.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
— Matthew 27:5 (NIV)
Peter denied Jesus but repented and was restored.
Judas betrayed Jesus but despaired and was lost.
The difference was not the sin.
The difference was where they ran afterward.
A Warning for Our Time
The kiss of Judas still happens today.
Greed causes:
Corruption in governments
Bribery that steals food from the poor
Business fraud that destroys families
Workers neglecting God for endless profit
Leaders selling truth for power
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
— 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
Many chase wealth but lose their souls.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
— Mark 8:36 (NIV)
People become so busy earning that they forget praying.
So focused on success that they forget church.
So confident in their strength that they forget to say thank you.
The Moral of the Story
1. Satan works closest, not loudest
Often through familiar faces, trusted hands, and unchecked desires.
2.Serving God with hidden motives is dangerous
God sees not only actions but intentions.
3. What God gives, He can also take
Blessings are gifts, not ownership.
4.Greed blinds, hardens, and eventually destroys
If not repented of, it leads the soul away from salvation.
5. Forgiveness is Christ’s way
Jesus forgave even Judas.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
— Luke 23:34 (NIV)
Final Reminder
Be content.
Be humble.
Be watchful.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”
— Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Even in emptiness, God provides.
Even in lack, God remains faithful.
Do not let money change your heart.
Do not let greed steal your eternity.
Choose devotion over desire.
Choose God always.

 

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