Last year during Holy Week, I studied the story and life of Judas. And as weird as this may sound, it is actually one of my favorite things to study in the Bible. It is so convicting, and so full of little details that bring impactful questions for a strengthened pursuit of Christ.

This man, Judas, followed Jesus everyday for 3 years. He had the most profound and challenging teaching and discussion right within his inner circle. Everyday. And I am sure he knew exactly what Jesus was praying about in the garden that night. Yet, he still delivered that kiss.

Jesus poured out his blood, sweat, and tears--quite literally--into the prayers we focused on yesterday, knowing full-well what that cup He spoke of would entail. Now we read that right after He made these petitions to the Father for this cup to be removed, He was met with this kiss from Judas--something that was common for a disciple to give to their beloved rabbai out of adoration. But Jesus knew in that moment that this kiss meant something different...the cup was coming. And, somehow, we see His response and posture remain the same: “Let Your will be done, Father.”

And us? Sitting here today? Well, we selfishly and undeservingly know that this kiss of stinging betrayal is the kiss that saved us. For that kiss is what identified to the Jews the perfect, spotless, blemish-free Lamb they had been searching for to slaughter. And Jesus knew this. So, silently and humbly, He began the long, dreadful journey as the Lamb that was led to the slaughterhouse [Isaiah 53.7]. He would become the Ultimate Sacrifice--the final one needed.

[Luke 22.47-53]

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “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 out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ How does the kiss bring more agony to Jesus?

+ With this moment in history occurring right in the midst of Passover, we ought to find the irony (or fulfillment) in this connection to the OT: these same Jewish leaders were searching over the weeks prior to this to seek out an actual lamb that was blemish-free, spotless, and worthy for their Passover feast, celebrating and remembering God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt/slavery. And it was also around the 14th day of Nisan (Jewish calendar) that this event occurred, making it the day they were to sacrifice their selected lambs for Passover. Yet, that whole week, they were ALSO searching for a fault in Jesus, a point of blame on Him, in attempt to make His message of being the Messiah ‘false’--yet, they could not find anything. And little did they know, the Ultimate Sacrifice, the fulfillment to their Scriptures, was the One they were arresting and crucifying that weekend [See Exodus 12, the regulations for Passover]. Selah.

+ After pondering this and reading some of Exodus 12, why do I think we call Jesus the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” [John 1.29], the “Lamb without blemish and without spot” [I Peter 1.19], or “Christ, our Passover” [I Cor. 5.7]

+ Based on their reactions in this account, do I think the select disciples were thinking of all the prophecies being fulfilled then and in the days to come?

+ Do I think the Last Supper they just partook in was at the forefront of their minds?

+ Take note of Jesus’ very blunt questions in vv. 52-53. What do they reveal about His “criminal status”? Why did they have to arrest Him at night? And why with such a large company?

+ If there is extra time this week, meditate on the following chapters: Exodus 12, Isaiah 53, Psalm 118, I Corinthians 15, Revelation 5, Hebrews 9, 10.1-18, + 11.

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ These are the lyrics to Kings Kaleidoscopes' song “What Have We Done?”:

“Oh my soul, oh my Jesus.

Judas sold you for thirty; but I’d have done it for less.

Oh my soul, oh my Savior.

Peter denied you three times; but I have denied you more.

As the nails went in, I was standing right there, as You breathed Your last, I shook my head and I cried.

Oh my God, what have we done? We have destroyed Your Son.”

+ Do I resonate with these lyrics at all? How might we sell Jesus for less than what Judas did? How might it look in our lives to deny Jesus like Peter?

+ Why does it matter to me that Judas spent much of his time during those 3 years with Jesus?

+ How does reading this account right now transform the way I want to live this week?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ As Resurrection Weekend tends to be one weekend of the year that there is a tremendous rise in church-goers, who can I share the fulfillment of Scripture that is behind Holy Week and Resurrection Weekend with to transform their view of the Gospel, Christ’s work on the cross, and the Blessed Hope that He is?