Who's Kissing You?

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Matthew 26:45-49 NIV

Most Believers know the story and why anyone found betraying another is called a "Judas" because of their behavior. We still have people in our midst--sometimes in our inner circle--who will be betray us in a heartbeat. And those same people, at any given moment, will greet us with a "kiss" marking us as target.

Think about it! Most of the gangster movies in which someone from the inside is going to betray the mob or even the good guys always marks the target with a friendly greeting--with the mobsters once portrayed in movies--with a kiss (cultural preferences). Funny how most movies portrayed the mafia as only one ethnic group when there are so many other groups of "gangstas."

But people who betray others are not always part of the mafia or any other gangsters--they masquerade as friends, sucking the life of people, encouraging people to do the opposite of what they should do and then leave them hanging when they can't have their way. When the foolishness is exposed, they have marked a target and then are long gone. We don't always know people the way we think we know them and when we allow them into our inner circle, we should be careful about what we let them know about us.

Let's face it--for most of us--three and half years is not long enough to determine whether those we meet are real or not. But that's us. Jesus knew all along who would betray Him and He didn't try to stop Judas because the will of God needed to be fulfilled. And it was--right after prayer--the kiss of death, targeting Jesus.

So again I ask, who's kissing you and are they really a friend or foe?

It is sad to think that within the inner circle of Believers that we have those among us who will target us--mark us for the enemy's attack. Why would they do that? The enemy's influence is ignited by jealousy, bitterness, envy, covetous, and disobedience to God. There are people out there who hate those who obey God and will do everything in their power to create a situation where they can see Believers fail--sin as they sin.

Every smiling face is not a friendly face and we must know the signs--the little indicators that signal who is really facing us. Do we see the darkness in the eyes of those whose smiles are not genuine? Are we able to detect the depth of hate when looking into soul-less eyes--especially when the smile only reaches the corners of their mouths?

And once again I ask, who's kissing you?