Matthew 26: The Kiss of Death

When illegal activity is known to ruin and destroy one’s reputation or life, we call it a “kiss of death.”  In today’s society we’d call this a figure of speech.  Tonight we view “the” kiss of death that is more than just a figure of speech.  We view “the” kiss that is reality!  It is, in fact, the original kiss that many believe coined such a figure of speech. 

This kiss of death came from a one-time close friend.  This kiss of death came as a friendly greeting from a student to his dear teacher.  This kiss of death came as a sign of reverence and honor, but ended up one of irreverence and dishonor.  This kiss of death came as an act of insubordination (no disciple was to greet his master first) to cover up sinful betrayal in the past and now in the present.  This kiss of death was more than just a signal to positively I.D. Jesus Christ. 

The Greek word Matthew used in his gospel suggest that Judas' kiss was intense.  You might say that, “(Judas) covered him with kisses” (People's Bible: Matthew, NPH, 1997).  Jesus was smothered with this kiss of death.  "The" kiss of Judas, though, was not the only kisses of betrayal that smothered Jesus’ life; our own betrayal of sinful behavior is Jesus’ “kiss of death.”  Our betrayal of him comes in the form of not following his command, “Love each other” (Jn 15:17).  Our betrayal of him comes in the form of not living as his witnesses to the truths of his Word (Acts 1:8).  We have covered the Lord with our own sinful kisses.  “The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is 53:6).   

Permanent damage usually results from a “kiss of death.”  Reputations are ruined.  Lives are lost.  It seemed that Judas’ kiss caused permanent damage to the Lord Jesus—he was arrested, arraigned, and executed.  Jesus lost his life.  That damage done, though, was for our permanent restoration!  He fulfilled his heavenly Father’s plan to die for the sins of all people.  He fulfilled our heavenly Father’s plan to die for our sins of hatred, fear, and doubt.