Kissed

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."

Then everyone deserted him and fled. -Mark 14:43-50

Today, upon reading this, I am simply amazed at the fact that Jesus allows the kiss. I picture the scene going down, and having it be obvious to the disciples and of course Jesus. The other disciples would already have to be restrained at this point. That Jesus himself withstands this kiss is simply amazing. Of all the things he had to suffer, the broken heart this gave him could have at least been spared, if he had prevented the kiss.

But, I suppose this speculation is a dangerous thing to do to God. We want God to fight for us the way that we want him to. We want him to do the things that make sense to us.

It has been an interesting thing to write this blog for a few weeks now. Something that has happened, it seems to me, is that I come with less and less ideas of my own. It is almost as if Scripture is starting to trump my own opinions. What a fun concept.

Truly this is only a step on the road. I can only go a few words without putting my own spin on God's story. I pray that by spending more time hearing his word, then his truth will more often, more naturally, and more clearly come out of my mouth.

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