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Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9
The Roman soldiers start to their feet, and, with the priests and Judas, they gather about Christ as though ashamed of their weakness, and fearful that He will yet escape out of their hands. Again the question is asked by the Redeemer, ‘Whom seek ye?’ Again they answer, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replies, ‘I have told you that I am He. If therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way.’ In this hour of humiliation, Christ’s thoughts are not for Himself, but for his beloved disciples. He wishes to save them from any further trial.
Judas does not forget his part, but comes close to Jesus, and takes his hand as a familiar friend, and bestows the traitor’s kiss. Jesus says to him, ‘Friend, wherefore art thou come?’ His voice trembled with sorrow as He addressed deluded Judas, ‘Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss.’ This appeal should have aroused the conscience of Judas, and touched his stubborn heart; but honor, fidelity, and even human tenderness, seemed to have left him. He stood bold and defiant, showing no disposition to relent. He had given himself up to the control of Satan, to work wickedness, and he had no will to resist. Jesus did not refuse the traitor’s kiss. In this He gives us an example of forbearance, love, and pity, that is without a parallel.
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