A Kiss

"While he was still speaking a crowd came u, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"   Luke 22:47-48

I woke up this morning and this thought was on my mind, "He was betrayed with a kiss."
A kiss? A sign of greeting as common as shaking hands. A sign of friendship and acceptance. Why didn't Judas just point to Jesus? Why didn't he just walk past and pat him on the back? Why? Because Judas was putting on a show. He forgot that Jesus knows the heart. Judas thought he could deceive Jesus and others by his actions. He thought he could keep the blame off of himself and still get what he wanted. But clearly, Jesus knows it all. He stopped Judas before he was even able to go through with his plan. Jesus knows the motives behind our actions. He knows why we serve in the church. He knows why we give our tithe. Our motive speaks to him about the act itself. Jesus will not let falsehood go unexposed.

Let us all examine our motives. Ask the Spirit to search your heart for improper, selfish motives and be humbled to repent.