47 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, 48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
In our verses for today, we see the angry crowds led by one of Jesus’ own disciples – Judas, who we are told, betrays Jesus with a kiss. Ironically, a kiss is generally such a sweet sign of love yet Judas both desecrates and abuses it. I wonder how often we desecrate and abuse what is sweet and good? Demonstrating one thing by our actions yet the motivation behind the action is selfish ambition or vain conceit.
“Man sees your actions, but God, your motives.” Thomas a Kempis
“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” Charles Spurgeon
God is looking for proper behavior from His children backed by proper motives! I am reminded of David’s words to his son Solomon regarding the building of the temple. As our bodies are now the dwelling place of the precious Holy Spirit, it would do us well to remember that we are in the process of building our temples too:
9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." 1 Chron 28:9-10 (NIV)
The prophet Haggai gives the same command in the following way:
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Hag 1:7-9 (NIV)
We often become busy building our houses of wood, hay or straw neglecting the finer gold, silver and costly stones. When this occurs, we are the ones who suffer loss. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV)
“If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, mayhap, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow.” Charles Spurgeon
Have you ever taken notice that there are simply no secrets hidden from Jesus? Knowing full well who was to betray Him, Jesus was even mindful of Judas’ “secret” sign of a kiss which would show the crowd accompanying him exactly who they were looking for to arrest. I am reminded of God’s Words in Jeremiah:
24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD. Jer 23:24 (NIV)
Nothing is outside the realm of God’s omniscience – nothing. What a comforting thought! We also find in Isaiah:
24 "This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, Isaiah 44:24 (NIV)
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV)
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)