A kiss is a very intimate show of affection and it is usually not cheap to give or receive. One would then wonder why Judas Iscariot decided to use a kiss as the code to betray Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:48-50).

For one, Psalms 41:9 had to be fulfilled.

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

We must learn that the word of God will forever be fulfilled. Another lesson from what necessitated Judas betrayal code was the leadership style of Jesus Christ. He was obviously very close to His disciples. There was no distinction between Him and His subordinates – no class boundaries, no differentiation. As a matter of fact, He washed their feet. Whoever saw Jesus washing His disciples feet could have mistaken Him for a servant of servants. Whatever He did, He empowered His disciples to do also. What a lesson for Christian leaders!

Leaders must also be extremely careful of close associates without being unnecessarily suspicious. This is because, out of twelve disciples, there usually would be one Judas Iscariot. The truth is, more often than not, there is always a need for a Judas for the fulfilment of God’s purpose for a leaders life. This is a bitter truth, but it must be told.

There is however, a kiss that betrays, not someone else, but your very self! For example, when you intimately kiss a person who is not your spouse, you have betrayed your spirit man and empowered the flesh. Apostle Paul says that we should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). He says further All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (1 Corinthians 10:23). In Romans 14:21, he also says:
“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

May you neither be sold nor sell yourself by a kiss of betrayal, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.