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. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

As I have read this passage about Jesus’ betrayal many times throughout my life, I find different parts of it minister to my soul at different times. It is the power of the Word of God. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬)

What moves me today is the use of the word “friend” by Jesus in how he addresses Judas, his betrayer. I have known friends who have not been faithful along my side in tough times. I have known friends who I tried to help, who, out of jealousy or some other motive, basically tried to do me wrong. But I have never had a friend betray me to my death. As I think back on these friends, it is very difficult to consider them a friend or even to call them a friend.

But Jesus called Judas his friend. This just blows my mind. I don’t understand how he could do this given all that Judas had done to him. Not only did Judas steal regularly from the money purse of the disciples, he plotted to betray Jesus. That is some kind of love Jesus had for Judas — to treat your betrayer as a friend!

What fascinates me about this setting is that they treated Jesus as a violent criminal, although he has acted in no way violently towards any of them. This is not uncommon for evil people who are trying to get away with violence or mistreatment of others. They assume that others will act as they would and so they prepare for that, as well.

But Jesus surprised them. He did not fight back. He did not become angry with his betrayer. He did not list out all of Judas’ sins in front of everybody to call him out as an evil man. He simply called Judas his friend and instructed him to do what he was prepared to do.

As we look at Judas’ actions, we see in them a heart bent on evil intent. Giving Jesus the kiss of a friend while betraying him, is just an evil act full of malice. It is wrong on so many levels. It mixes the warmth, affection and intimacy of a friendship with the hatred, envy, and bitterness of an enemy.

The apostle Paul spoke about these types of enemies here (And he also talked about where our citizenship is): “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬)

Jesus knew his citizenship was in heaven, and so he did not mind being arrested on earth. This was not his home. The same power with which Jesus was able to humbly submit to God’s will for him to die on a cross — that immense and loving power — it is available to us.

And when we follow Jesus’ examples in the scriptures and live a life of holiness and reverence to God, we become powerful people. God uses us to draw people to himself, to call out fear and evil, and to call toward love and justice, grace, truth, peace, courage, and sacrifice for the lost.

Lord, thank you for Jesus’ model of loving the unlovely — even calling his betrayer a friend. Helped me to have this remarkable kind of love too. Heal my heart in such a way that I can love when I am being injured, that I can serve when I am not being appreciated. Teach me what it means to be so passionate with my relationship with you, that you are the focal point I come back to every time I am injured.