day 28: Judas

Day 28: Judas

Scripture Reading: Luke 22:47-53

There is something deeply unsettling about Judas Iscariot approaching Jesus with a kiss. A kiss is meant to express love, loyalty, and belonging. Yet here, it becomes the very instrument of betrayal. And that is what makes this passage so personal. Because betrayal does not always come from enemies at a distance—it often comes from those who are closest.Judas walked with Jesus. He heard His voice. He saw His miracles. He shared life with Him. And yet, in a moment, he reveals that proximity to Jesus is not the same as surrender to Jesus.

What is even more striking is Jesus’ response. He does not resist. He does not retaliate. He does not call down judgment.Instead, He speaks: “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Even in that moment, there is grief, not hatred… invitation, not rejection. And when violence breaks out, when a disciple strikes the servant of the high priest, Jesus intervenes and heals. In the middle of betrayal and darkness, Jesus is still restoring, still healing, still revealing the heart of God.

This passage invites us to examine our own hearts. How easy it is to look like followers of Christ outwardly, to serve, to speak, to participate and yet carry hidden places of compromise within. We may not betray Jesus with silver, but we can betray Him with divided loyalties…with quiet disobedience…with a faith that is present in form but absent in surrender. The question is not simply, “Would I betray Jesus?” The deeper question is: “In what ways might I already be?”

And yet, this is not a passage meant to leave us in despair. Because unlike Judas, we are still being invited. Invited to return. Invited to repent. Invited to move from regret to true surrender. The tragedy of Judas is not only that he betrayed Jesus, it is that he never turned back to Him. But we can. This passage calls us to a deeper, more honest faith, a faith that, when it fails, runs back to Christ rather than away from Him. Because even in the face of betrayal, Jesus remains who He is, gracious, patient, and full of redeeming love.

Prayer:

Heavenly father, in the troubled world, it would be easy to lose sight of your purpose, your kingdom, and my part in healing and restoring everything to you. The evil around me can never diminish the light of your Son, Jesus – the light that I bear. Remind me, Lord, that I am salt and light in the world.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Won Kim

Lead Pastor of RockSpring Church