Betrayed, with a kiss

It's a love story for the ages, you and God. He fashioned you well before the Earth was formed, knowing exactly who you would become. When your time had come to be conceived, he knit the very fibers of your being together in the secret place of your mother's womb. As you've grown, the person you are today was shaped by the choices you were free to make a long the journey, whether good or bad. 

All throughout the gospels, we read of how Jesus called the disciples to follow Him. Each one was called according to a purpose. Simon Peter would be the rock upon which the modern church as we know it would be built. James and John, especially John, showed us the depth of love one could have for another. Matthew was a tax collector, one who was despised by man as untrustworthy and a thief. Luke was a doctor, a man who helped others. But what about Judas? Little is known about him other than he would betray Jesus.  Yet, he was counted among the twelve, going about the countryside as a witness of all the miracles Jesus did and hearing the teachings. 

In Luke 22, we read of the religious leaders going to Judas to ask him to deliver Jesus to them. They offered him a price, thirty pieces of silver. Then, at the given time, Judas brought the multitude into the garden and kissed Jesus on the cheek.  The deed was done.

In our lives, we are no different from anyone of these twelve that Jesus called to minister alongside Him. We all have our baggage or traits which others would find unappealing. We walk into a church service one day and we hear the call of Jesus to follow Him, so we do. We hear the teachings. We see the miracles. We experience everything that these twelve did so long ago. But then......

The world begins to entice you with all of its desires. As the old saying goes: sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but those are just the tip of the iceberg these days. There is a temptation designed specifically with your name on it and the enemy will keep sending it your way. Oh, it may not look the same everytime. That's too simple. He will wrap it up just so pretty and nice to try and draw you back from your ministry with Jesus.  And if you're not vigilant, you too will find yourself betrayed, with a kiss.