Matthew 26: 48-50

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. NRSV

Often when this scripture is being read the focus is on the man Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. Often he is portrayed as a villain. The truth is, only God can see the heart. Who knows what Judas was thinking? Perhaps his thinking was that Jesus, the great healer, spiritual leader and influential person that he was could get himself out of this mess; after all, he was the Son of God. Maybe he did not see the big picture; but whatever his thinking, he had come to give his master away and Jesus told him to get to it. You see, Jesus came to secure our redemption and it had to be done by any means necessary, and even though now of us would have wanted to be Judas, we are sure glad that God loves us enough to set us free and we’re glad Jesus died for us. So this day, let us sing with gusto:

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
.
To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His head;
His Name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.