Doing Our Thing! (part 3 of 6)

While Jesus was doing “His thing” by doing “God’s thing”, Judas was carrying out “his thing.” He earlier made a deal and had been waiting for an opportune time to carry out his plan. ( Matthew 26:14-16) Unfortunately for Judas, the appeal of money ( John 12:4-6) was stronger than his faithfulness to the One with Whom he had walked.

Again, focusing on the text, we read…
“(47) While he [Jesus] was still speaking, JUDAS came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. (48) Now THE BETRAYER HAD GIVEN THEM A SIGN, saying, ‘THE ONE I WILL KISS is the man; seize him.’ (49) And he came up to Jesus at once and said, ‘GREETINGS, RABBI!’ AND HE KISSED HIM. (50) Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you came to do.’ Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.” ( Matthew 26:47-50)

Oh, what DECEPTION Judas thought he could hide behind. He called Jesus, “Rabbi”, the same word he had used earlier when the others said “Lord.” ( Matthew 26:22 & 25). However, Judas had not learned from the Teacher as he ought or he would have acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus and not turned against Him. I find it interesting that Jesus, in turn, referred to Judas as “friend.” (The Greek points to the designation of a companion, which Judas had been.) Perhaps Jesus’ was reminding Judas of what he had been and could still be; a friend and companion. Such a response had the potential to impact Judas’ focus (if he were touchable) the same way it must have struck Peter later in the courtyard when his eyes met with the Lord’s following his three denials. ( Luke 22:61)

Then there was “the kiss”; the sign of the one to be seized. What audacity for Judas to have employed -- in an act of treachery -- that which was the common greeting among friends, masters, and pupils. Perhaps the DECEPTION here was to keep the other disciples from knowing what he was really up to. What great deception to use a sign of affection and respect for such an act of treason.

Solomon noted…
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” ( Proverbs 27:6 ESV)

Solomon knew something about this. Such action was not new with Judas. We can put up with the wounds of a true friend when they sometimes tell us a truth that hurts a little bit because we know they have our best interests at heart. However, the kiss of an enemy is an entirely different thing. The cunning! The craftiness! The MASKED DECEPTION! How awful it is! Yet, that was what Jesus experienced as Judas, one of His own, did “his thing.”

What is the true connection between what goes on within us and what is visible without? Do our actions and words MASK something different than what we are representing? Are we guilty of such hypocrisy? Or is “our thing” that of seeking to develop and live with true GODLY CHARACTER that allows its TRUE FACE TO SHINE forth in our actions and words springing from a heart of devotion to the Lord and His Will? May the Lordship of Jesus sufficiently touch us so that all aspects of our life truly acknowledge Him as such.

Have a great day REMAINING A GENUINE DISCIPLE AND FRIEND OF JESUS!
Carl

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