For many of us, Good Friday is a day to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sake, but we often leave out the small details that really put fuel into the fire, in this passionate story of a friend laying down His life for another.
It all began with a simple kiss on the cheek—a sign of intimacy that became the ultimate symbol of betrayal. That moment marked the beginning of Jesus’ path to the cross, His journey to Calvary, not with violence or rebellion, but with a soft gesture that carried the weight of death.
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples and a man close to Jesus, gave in to temptation. He fell into the trap of the enemy and exchanged his loyalty for silver.
“Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” (Luke 22:3, NKJV)
And so, the prophecy began to unfold:
“And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22, NKJV)
And just like that, with a kiss on Jesus’ cheek to signal to the soldiers that Jesus was the one to arrest, Judas Iscariot unknowingly exposed the true nature of humanity.
“And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48, NKJV)
Could Jesus’ journey to Calvary have started any other way?
According to God, in His sovereignty, it probably could have happened any other way. But this betrayal revealed something profound about humanity. It showed how even the ones closest to God can choose sin when temptation whispers loud enough.
This betrayal reflects our lives today—represented by misplaced priorities and a willingness to choose sin and quick pleasures over our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus brought Judas close. He loved him, taught him, trusted him. And still, Judas chose evil.
In the same way, we too betray Jesus daily when we praise Him on Sunday and deny Him with our actions on Monday, when we lie, compromise, lust, steal, gossip, and turn away, when we live as if we don’t know Him in the presence of unbelievers for fearing ridicule—just as Jesus was ridiculed.
Although this betrayal is seen with Judas, He wasn’t the only one. Peter too, a bold, passionate, outspoken Disciple also fell into the same temptation.
“Woman, I do not know Him.” “Man, I am not!” “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” (Luke 22:57-60, NKJV)
Three denials. One for each chance to stand with Jesus. As the rooster crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter.
“Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord… and he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62, NKJV)
Peter’s betrayal came not from greed, but from fear. He didn’t sell Jesus out—he distanced himself, denied Him. He didn’t speak lies—he stayed silent when it mattered most.
Could these two moments—Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial—have changed Jesus’ fate if they had gone differently? Probably not. But they might have changed Judas’ story, who took his own life in despair, and Peter’s, who wept bitterly when he realized what he had done. “But it isn’t just Judas who betrayed Him or Peter who denied Him, it is all of us today.
Many times, we realise our shortcomings when it’s too late. But if you’re still alive and reading this, there’s still time. Don’t take it for granted, however, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
“and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15, NKJV)
Good Friday reminds us how deeply sin runs. It shows us the full extent of humanity’s brokenness wrapped up completely in God’s boundless love.
Because even after all of that, Jesus still laid down His life.
“The Bible says our Lord Jesus prayed, until He sweat blood, but the situation was not changing. So, He was determined to fulfill what He was assigned to do without compromising anything. And the Father also in pain, said ‘Okay Son, I know what you’re going through.’ He sent Him an angel to encourage Him. ‘Let’s go through it, it’s a tough night. Only three days — one is for Me the Father, the second one is for You the Son, the third one is for the Holy Spirit.’” — Bro. Ronnie Makabai
Even in pain, He chose obedience. Even when abandoned, He chose love and even when betrayed, He still chose us.
A LOVE THAT COVERS EVERY BETRAYAL
Our Lord Jesus Christ bore the weight of our sin, our betrayal and still chose the Cross.
His death was more than punishment, it was redemption for us. It was a way out of the cycle of sin and shame. Now, no one else has to die because Christ already did it for us. All we must do is acknowledge His sacrifice by choosing to live for Him.
Maybe if Judas had turned back and prayed the prayer of Psalm 51 “Have mercy on me, O God…” probably he too, could have found grace before it was too late.
“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. “And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5, NKJV)
Every time you kiss Christ on the cheek in worship and then betray Him with your actions, remember: He still loves you but He calls you to be above it all because we have the roadmap, the instructions directly from Him in the Bible.
The Bible says that in the midst of all these unfortunate events Jesus warned His disciples “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:40, NKJV)
He knew temptation would come. He knows it will come for us too. That’s why He gave us the Word. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit. That’s why He walked through the darkest night and still chose obedience.
We’re not perfect and He knows that too, His sacrifice makes up for our imperfection. All we have to do is submit.
This Good Friday, let go of your old self. Let it die with Christ. Embrace resurrection.
Live for the One who died for you. Don’t just remember the crucifixion, respond to it, don’t just admire the cross, carry yours and don’t just mourn the betrayal of Christ, repent from your own.
Jesus has already won the battle so let’s live in victory.
