The Kiss of the Power of Darkness
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing Judas' treacherous betrayal of Christ with a kiss from the realm of darkness.
Text: Luke 22:47-53
Date: 09/21/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 211
Description:
While Jesus is still rebuking His disciples for sleeping rather than praying to be delivered from temptation-- "temptation" arrives literally out of the darkness! Judas the betrayer reappears leading a mob of religious leaders and soldiers, armed to the teeth, and with the malintent of arresting Jesus. Famously, Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss and a short fracas ensues as some of His disciples brandish their swords. We will analyze this encounter focusing on the vast difference between Jesus' reaction and that of His disciples. But primarily we will see Judas as representing one of satan's most effective tactics against the people of God-- to circumvent their strength by placing a betrayer in their midst. A betrayer who acts as a conduit for the power of evil to invade the church from the inside and therefore defy the Lordship of Christ. Ultimately we will ask ourselves if there is a Judas in our midst; but even more poignantly, ask ourselves if there is a Judas lurking within us-- and thereby expose the "kiss of the power of darkness".
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 22:47-53.
A. Context
1. The triumph of Jesus in the garden.
2. The problems with the disciples.
a. Judas' preparations for betrayal, Luke 22;3,22.
b. The struggles of the eleven.
i. The argument over greatness.
ii. Satan's demand, John 10:28.
iii. Peter's self-faith.
iv. The warning of persecution, Luke 22;36,38, 9:23.
v. Asleep in the Garden, Luke 22:40, 46.
B. Judas and the Power of Darkness.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 47a.
a. An interrupted conversation, Luke 22:46.
b. A crowd from the realm of darkness.
c. The betrayer out front.
i. Tracing Judas' steps.
ii. The threat from within.
2. The kiss, vs. 47b-48, John 18:6.
a. Analyzing the kiss, vs. 47b.
i. Why the sign of a kiss?
ii. An act of hypocrisy.
iii. A rejection of Lordship.
iv. Something to think about.
b. Jesus' response, vs. 48.
i. Noticing the form.
ii. One last attempt, Luke 22:22.
iii. A subtle irony, Luke 7:37-38, 13:30.
3. The armed resistance, vs. 49-51.
a. The absurd question, vs. 49.
i. A grossly uneven match, Luke 22:14,38.
ii. A time of grace and Providence, Luke 13:1.
b. The absurd reaction, vs. 50.
c. The rebuke and healing, vs. 51.
i. The rebuke, Matt. 26:52.
ii. The healing, Luke 6:27,28.
4. The address to the crowd, vs. 52-53.
a. Exposing the perpetrators, vs. 52a.
b. Exposing the superfluity of force, vs. 52b.
c. Exposing the hypocrisy, vs. 53a, John 3:19-20.
d. The hour of darkness, vs. 53b.
i. The Providential and prophetic "hour", John 7:30, 17:1.
ii. The domain of darkness.
1) Defining the phrase, Eph. 2:2.
2) Meeting the players, Luke 20:19-20, 23:7; Acts 26:18.
III. Application, Luke 22:22.
IV. Conclusion
