The Terrible Kiss

Judas Conscience by Nikolaj Ge

Luke 22:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.

Luke 22:47-53

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

John 3:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

Until tonight I had never before seen this painting by Nikolaj Ge of Judas and his conscience, and it stopped me in my tracks.  How terrible it must have been for Judas to believe that all was lost including himself!  If only he had gone to Jesus for forgiveness for his betrayal of the One who had so loved him, maybe both his life and soul would have been saved.  How sad it was to have died in darkness for someone who had walked so close to the Light!  As the thief on the cross taught us, as long as someone yet breathes there is still hope for his sou; all one has to do is run to the Light.

"Surely We Can Change" - The David Crowder Band