Scripture to Read: Luke 22:47–53
Jesus’s arrest was imminent, and God had Luke record this in Luke 22:47–53, 47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” God had Luke tell us that the crowd included the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, the elders, and of course, Judas leading them. Judas drew close to Jesus. Back then, a kiss was a sign of friendship shared between family members and close friends. Judas’ kiss was fake and a signal to the soldiers whom they should arrest. His kiss was hypocrisy and betrayal, not love. We must not be hypocritical in our walk with our Lord but truly love Him with all we are.
Challenge & Application
How do we guard our hearts from hypocrisy and follow Jesus no matter what the crowd says?
What does our Lord desire from us as His children, and how do we do it? (See John 15:8–10.)
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!