-When a woman you’re trying to get with delivers the fatal blow, signifying her interest only to be “friends” with you. –The Urban Dictionary.

-Something that is ultimately ruinous, destructive, or fatal: “Divorce was once a political kiss of death” (Ellen Goodman). Free Dictionary.

-The kiss of death (Italian: Il bacio della morte) is the sign given by a mafioso boss or capo that signifies that a member of the crime family has been marked for death, usually as a result of some perceived betrayal.

-an action or event that causes certain failure for an enterprise.
“it would be the kiss of death for the company if it could be proved that the food was unsafe”

-And from the online slang dictionary: something that destroys a person’s hopes. When my crush told me that I was a “trusted friend,” I knew that was the kiss of death.

Wow, right? The last one, “something that destroys a person’s hopes” is really meaningful for today.

The origin of the “kiss of death”, commonly used still, comes from the passage we are reading and meditating on today…read on…

Mark 14, The Message
A Gang of Ruffians
43-47 No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Judas, the one out of the Twelve, showed up, and with him a gang of ruffians, sent by the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders, brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a signal with them: “The one I kiss, that’s the one—seize him. Make sure he doesn’t get away.” He went straight to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The others then grabbed him and roughed him up. One of the men standing there unsheathed his sword, swung, and came down on the Chief Priest’s servant, lopping off the man’s ear.

48-50 Jesus said to them, “What is this, coming after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I’ve been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. What you in fact have done is confirm the prophetic writings.” All the disciples cut and ran.

Jesus, the Son of God, had prayed in agony all night long, that this “cup” would be taken from him. This scene of betrayal of a “friend” was foretold in Scripture. Jesus knew it would happen. He knew who would deliver the kiss. Judas, who followed Jesus, watched on while He miraculously healed the lame, the sick and even raised the dead. Judas knew Jesus repaired broken hearts, restored hope in many lives, opened blind eyes and plugged ears to all who listened Who God, the Father is, was and is to come. But he wanted Jesus to take over the Roman world. He is greedy. Judas wanted things his way. He admired and was impressed by the power Jesus had, but he did not love Him. He did not love Who Jesus was. He was NOT impressed with his true mission to seek and to save the lost. The hopes of Judas were destroyed. This same Judas delivered the kiss of death. His relationship with Jesus was broken forever with that kiss. No hope for Judas.

Ah, but the story does not end there. Our hope is actually restored! Yes, Jesus was roughed up the minute the kiss was delivered as a sign of “He’s the One”. I’m sure Judas did not know just how significant those words were when he delivered that kiss. Jesus the Messiah, the One and Only, The Perfect Sacrifice, The Perfect Lamb of God accepted the “cup” of the will of His Heavenly Father and fulfilled the scriptures as the ONE who would died for our sins.

Jesus, our now Savior, accepted the beatings, the mocking and the final horrendous Roman torture of being literally nailed to a rough, ugly cross made of wood…fashioned by the Almighty from the beginning of creation. Jesus, the One and Only paid the debt of all sin for all time. He paid my debt. He paid yours. IF we only believe. Hope restored.

Do I behave as if I believe? Do I realize how much I’m worth to the One and Only who saved my soul? Do I live as a saved person?

Dear Heavenly Father, Wow. Again, there is so much here to think about. Your salvation for us came at a high price, so high it is hard to wrap our minds around it at times. Thank you, dear Lord for making a way for us to be in relationship with you…never to be broken. Go with us. We believe.
In Jesus Name, Amen