Betrayal

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.

Mark 14:43-46 (NIV)

The religious leaders were no fans of Jesus. He threatened their authority, challenged their interpretation of the Law and won the hearts of the people. The leaders constantly tried to trip Him up over questions of the Law; on more than one occasion they tried to lay hands on Him, but He eluded them.

It took the perfidy of a friend to finally turn Jesus over to the authorities. Judas had been with Jesus throughout His public ministry. He was part of the inner circle, the trusted treasurer of the group. Yet for thirty pieces of silver - the common price for a slave in those days - Judas deliberately breached that trust, betraying Jesus to the soldiers with a kiss.

What must the man Jesus have felt over this treacherous act, even while the God Jesus acknowledged its necessity?