Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“When a Kiss is not a Kiss”
“She took hold of him and kissed him…” – Proverbs 7:13

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 26:47-49

'Twas not my lips you kissed but my soul ~Judy Garland
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” ~Albert Einstein
Do you remember your first kiss? Not the peck on the cheek that you received from parent, an aunt or uncle or grandparent, or even that quick little “stolen” kiss in first grade. I am talking about the kind of kiss that left your whole body tingling and left you wondering what just happened to you. That kind of kiss is what makes life worth the living. I well remember my first real kiss…actually it is best that we not go there. Like so many other words in our vocabulary the word kiss can be used to denote a number of things. There is the “kiss of death,” indicating something is about to come to a tragic end. We say, “kiss it goodbye,” denoting something is about to come to a conclusion. There is the “kiss of peace,” used by the church for centuries to circulate among the faithful a sense of communion. And then there is the greeting kiss. The “Greeting” kiss is a ritual or social gesture to indicate friendship, perform a greeting, (the equivalent of a hand-shake) to confer congratulations, to comfort someone, to show respect, or to indicate romantic interest. This greeting is very common in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Latin America. It is not as common in English-speaking Canada and the United States, Asia and Northern Europe.
In a greeting kiss, both persons lean forward and either lightly touch cheek with cheek or lip with cheek. Generally the gesture is repeated with the other cheek, or more, alternating cheeks. Depending on country and situation, the number of kisses is usually one, two, three or four. Hand-shaking or hugging may also take place. When Judas approached Jesus, by applying what was common to his culture (the greeting kiss) he intended to greet the Lord as a friend. A gesture to show everyone there Jesus was his friend. That may have been his intention but his heart and loyalty had been far removed. His greeting resulted in nothing more than a ceremony—a passionless action.
It makes me wonder if many approach their relationship with Jesus in the same fashion. They consider themselves to be a friend of the Lord—all of the appearances are there. But if ones heart is not into it then all their actions, words, and even worship constitutes nothing more than just action and does nothing to glorify God. Jesus said the same to the Pharisees:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.” – Matthew 15:8, 9

Of the quotes I mentioned above I really like the one from Albert Einstein and he is absolutely right. Given the proper context our relationship with Jesus deserves our full and complete attention—that our heart not be divided. If our heart is not into the relationship then our words, actions and worship is meaningless. When we enter the Sanctuary—do we know what we are preparing to do? When we begin to pray are we seeking some self-serving benefits or are we truly entering into a conversation with the Lord? Solomon was saying—don’t let the appearances deceive you. The woman’s kiss was nothing more than a gesture, a heartless and self-serving greeting. Do not let your relationship with Christ become the same.
Pastor J. T. Carnell