With a kiss?

Psalm 55:12-14 AMPC

For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me-then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me-then I might hide from him. [13] But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. [14] We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.

Luke 22:47-48 NLT

But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. [48] But Jesus said, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

"Only a friend can betray a friend" - how that resonates with Judas - we see how it stabbed at Jesus' tender heart as a dear friend's greeting turned into a traitor's tool.

Back when Jesus called Judas to His side He already knew what was in his heart, yet He still chose him to share in His inner circle of disciples.

That divine foreknowledge didn't exclude Judas from the opportunity of hearing and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.

Then we shouldn't be shocked when high profile Christian leaders fall from grace.

Do we say that they hadn't walked with Jesus? That they didn't know the Word?

No, we should see the tracks of Judas, the traitor's kiss that brought about the Passion of Christ.

Then we should turn our gaze to how the Lord used the worst of betrayals to transform that treacherous act into Salvation - the same Salvation that encompasses even you and me.

Obviously Judas had deep remorse afterwards, a fatal regret that caused his suicide. He didn't believe that there was any way back - Satan had entered into his very soul to damnation.

It is a stark warning to us all who walk with Jesus to never use Him for our own shellfish purposes.

Satan is still looking for those who know Jesus to "kiss the Word", and betray The Truth - twisting the message to suit their own deceptive motives.

As always, Satan overplays his hand, what he means for evil, God means for good.

Even "non- believers" can identify a false gospel and a modern day Judas!