One of His disciples who walked with Him for those three years, however, was a devil, so He defined him as such. YAHSHUA well knew the intention of Judas’ heart from the beginning. Even though he had come from them, Judas was not one of them, for walking with YAHSHUA for three years there had not been a change in Judas’ heart. YAHSHUA also called him the son of perdition, which implied Judas’ role in YAHSHUA’S betrayal. A wolf in the sheep’s skin was Judas, but not unknown to the Lord. As a matter of fact, YAHSHUA was not surprised with the outcome, as it had been written in the Psalms. David uttered this prophecy when he was facing betrayal from his friend, but it was referring to YAHSHUA’S experience many years later. He said, Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me (Ps. 41:9). YAHSHUA echoed, I am not speaking of and I do not mean all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats My bread with Me has raised up his heel against Me (John. 13:18).
Having said these things, YAHSHUA went out with His disciples beyond the winter torrent of the Kidron. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered, and Judas, who was betraying Him and delivering Him up, also knew the place, because YAHSHUA had often retired there with His disciples (John 18:1-2) After a time spent with His disciples, YAHSHUA followed the path from where He was to be betrayed: to the garden. Those last hours were solemn hours when He taught them the last things, as in humility (John 13); when He encouraged and comforted them with the beautiful promise of Him going to prepare dwelling places for them; and His return; when He revealed Himself as God to the disciples; and blessed them with His peace (John 14); He taught how to bear fruit and love one another, and warned them of persecution (John 15); He comforted them with the promise of the coming of His Holy Spirit at His leaving the earth (John 16); and He finished with a prayer not only for His disciples but also for all those who would believe and accept the message of salvation (John 17). After a time spent with His disciples, YAHSHUA followed the path from where He was to be betrayed: to the garden. Judas was not with Him at those hours, for he had left the table to finish his business with the Jewish authorities to betray the Lord.
Judas came to the garden that night with troops and their captain and the guards of the Jews to seize YAHSHUA while He was there praying; he came with his heart filled with swords and clubs while kissing Him. A perverse heart destined to destruction as the son of perdition. Judas was set aside for this purpose, because Judas’ heart leaned toward evil. His heart was opened widely for Satan to enter and control him to do the evil of betraying the Lord. Why did Judas used a kiss to hand YAHSHUA to the Jewish authorities? Were not other ways he could have done it? It is known that a kiss on the cheek was a sign of respect. Judas’ kiss however, was a kiss of mockery, a kiss of sarcasm to what YAHSHUA was, as He made official to the people about His kingship when He rode on a colt, fulfilling the prophecy about Him: Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is just and having salvation, patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zach. 9:9). YAHSHUA defined him as the devil and as the son of perdition. His destiny was to go to destruction. One might think that Judas was indeed the seed mentioned in Genesis 3:15, the seed where the antichrist will come from that is, Satan’s seed. …and you (the serpent) will lie in wait and bruise His (YAHSHUA’S) heel. The Psalmist prophesized, My own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread has lifted up his heel against me (Ps. 41:9). That was fulfilled in YAHSHUA many years later as He revealed to His disciples, He who eats my bread with Me has raised up his heel against Me (John 13:18). This is interesting to note that YAHSHUA used the same language term, “lifted up his heel against Me,” as it was prophesized in Genesis and in the Psalms.” Brewer’s dictionary defines the term, Lift up the Heel against Me to kick me (physically or morally); to treat with contumely or contempt: to oppose, to become an enemy. As an unruly horse kicks the master who trusts and feeds him. The pain one feels when betrayed is difficult to define and explain, unless we have gone through it. Some level of betrayals is harder than others, but still betrayal is betrayal in every sense of the word. Penetrating deeply into the soul of man, betrayals have led many to mental pains and ultimately, to death.
Betrayals from a close friend is worse than from a family member, because it is to a close friend that we confine our inner feelings, secrets, and our true character in the freedom of friendship. YAHSHUA, however, knowing all things, was not overwhelmed with Judas’ action. In His humanity, He never ceased to be Who He was- the Son of God. In His all- knowing attribute, He did not trust man; He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in human nature (John 2:25). Judas was warned, but ignored it and went ahead to his own destruction. When we greet someone with a kiss, we are connecting with the person in friendship. Judas’s kiss however, was that kiss that carried a sword and a club and ultimately, a cross; the tone of his voice was smooth and his words were canny. YAHSHUA did not take his kiss as a greeting kiss, but a kiss of betrayal. He reacted to Judas’ action by saying, Judas! Would you betray and deliver up the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48) This question YAHSHUA directed to Judas carried a weight of judgment against him. In remorse, Judas committed suicide. But his life did not end there. Eternity opened up its mouth and swallowed him in the flames of fire. Sad, very sad.
My friend, think twice on your way to betray someone for whatever reason that drives you to do it. If for money, it will not save you from the consequences waiting you in eternity. Turn around, repent and save your life from dreadful consequences. Love people from the heart; not with a sword or a club on your lips as a kiss.
Light from the Word 