Kissing the Blood Stained Cheek

I've been trying to get AI to create an image for me of Judas kissing the blood stained face of Jesus. AI programs stop me and say there is something wrong or offensive with my request. Maybe this post will find someone who has a suggestion around the blocks. But in the meantime...

Consider that Jesus was laboring in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane for HOURS. Consider the following for a picture to form in your mind of what Jesus would have looked like when Judas approached to kiss his cheek. Scripture accounts reveal this:

- After the last supper, Jesus and his disciples go to the garden on the Mount of Olives, Matthew 26:36 Luke 22:39.
- His shares with his closest companions that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of DEATH, Matthew 26:38
- He fell. He fell with his face to the ground, Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:35. Does a calm, composed person fall with their face to the ground and pray?
- To be sustained in his weakness, He needed to be strengthened by an angel, Luke 22:43.
- He was still in anguish after the angel strengthened him. He prayed more earnestly, to a point of sweating. Have you ever sweat in prayer? His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
- He cries out in this state, 3 separate times.
- Jesus is brought to the elders and chief priests in early morning hours. So how long was his distress in the garden if it began after the last supper?

When scripture records that Jesus sweat blood, that means he had been enduring trauma. And note that it is trauma without physical abuse at this point. Hematidrosis (sweating blood) has only ever been documented on rare occasions to be experienced by people who have endured terrifying physical abuse. Jesus was stirred up within to that level of trauma and wrestling with God through extreme mental and emotional strain.

"Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:36.

So what state was the face of Jesus in when Judas approached?

I think it was clammy. I think his face was gaunt looking, deep distress in his eyes, and bracing for the moment his closest companions would scatter. I think he was at beginning stages of uncomfortable thirst. I think his cheek was lined with drip lines from the sweat stained with blood, specks of blood on his cheeks.

I think Judas tasted the blood of Jesus in the kiss of betrayal because he mentions, great regret that he betrayed innocent blood, Matthew 27:4. He is perhaps the only person who ever lived to physically taste the blood of Jesus.

People like to emphasize that Jesus called Judas "friend", Matthew 26:50. It does seem to reveal an amazing amount of grace. Jesus was also wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. Jesus gave grave warning about the fate of Judas and called him "his betrayer" more than once, Luke 22:21-22 & Luke 22:48 & Matthew 26:46.

What did the blood of Jesus make Judas realize? He was seized with remorse, openly confessed, returned the blood money, and then hung himself, Matthew 27:1-5.

Do you slow down with the scripture accounts? Do you read the accounts and compare them to notice additional details? Do you visualize what is happening? What state do you think Jesus would have been in when Judas approached with a kiss?

How does that change your understanding and knowledge of Jesus? I pray it makes you fall more deeply in love with a Savior who poured himself out in traumatizing ways just for you! Confess to Him, in prayer, any ways you feel like you've been dishonoring to him. He is gracious and longs for time with you! Share any comments below!
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