I was reading recently in Matthew 26:47-50 about Jesus’ betrayal. Amazingly Judas decided that the sign of his betrayal would be a kiss of his “Master.” Verse 49 says, “Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.” As I researched this further, I learned that this was the ultimate sign of insolence—in those days, the disciple would not greet/kiss the Rabbi first . . . it was always the Rabbi’s initiative.
The next verse is what’s most interesting: “But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?” (NKJV) or “Friend, do what you came to do.” (ESV) There’s a lively debate among commentators about whether this was a question or statement. But in either case, here is the key: Either way, Jesus is cutting through the pretense of Judas to the true issue . . . Jesus ALWAYS does that. How many times have we attempted to “cover” our true motives with seemingly innocent words or actions . . . and yet in our heart of hearts, we know that Jesus sees right through it?
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