“The Princess Bride” is a movie classic. Grandfather, actor Peter Falk, reads to his grandson, Fred Savage. “Since the invention of the kiss, there have five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one” – between Westley and Buttercup – “left them all behind.”
With no apologies to “The Princes Bride,” we turn to Psalm 85:10 for the kiss of all kisses. “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
This is the kiss of God, the symphony of the Trinity, the embrace of three unique Persons loving each Other with a Holy Love so deep we can only begin to imagine.
And they bestow that impeccably adoring kiss on many. One day, Christian and those who yet will fall in love with Jesus, God’s holy, loving kiss will completely enthrall us.
Really? Expelled from paradise, our first parents – and the whole earth – came under a curse. Nevertheless, because heavenly sacrifice/incorruptible love came to earth, God’s people re-enter paradise.
To reveal the story, let’s use the word “kiss” in the Bible.
We’ll begin with a lovers’ kiss. “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — for your love is more delightful than wine.” (Song of Solomon 1:2) Lovers, read the whole book! Notice, passionate lip caresses come early and often. This is only verse 2! Kissing premieres in this grand love story. No casual, mere smooching here. God, what vigor and ardor you rally to unite your creatures! Thank you!
But Scripture also reveals a darker side to our affectionate word. God says: “Now these people sin more and more. It is said of them, ‘They kiss the calf-idols.’” (Hosea 13:2 ) What?! Twisted kissing triumphed? Repeatedly bestowing intimate kisses upon inanimate, metallic God-substitutes did not bring idols to life nor imbue idols with love. Instead, intrinsically hard-hearted, idols reversed the kiss and infused/cursed idolators with hardened hearts.
How hard? Back to Hosea. Hosea wrote: “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calf-idols.” Instead of nurturing babies, people slaughtered them, sealing brutality with a kiss. A kiss!
Today our God-substitutes also please and drive us. In the Bible, love, trust, fear, hope, seeking, and serving describe our relating to God. But these words also describe our pseudo realities – false loves, false trusts, false fears, false hopes, false pursuits, false masters.
For example, in our phones, we implicitly seek affirmation: “Mirror, mirror, whose life is the fairest of them all?” Image is everything. We stoop to “kiss the calves.”
In a tender epistle, 1 John, John mentions “love,” “agape,” 18x. But, hear John’s jarring last declaration: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21) Even in the overwhelming presence of “agape,” beware of idolatry, the Bible’s most frequent sin.
Accordingly, we come to Judas’ dastardly, despicable kiss. “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.” (Matthew 26:48,49) Nauseatingly, the word translated “kiss” here describes an especially affectionate kiss.
Purest-Hearted Jesus, how low can we go?
In our world, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but ‘profuse’ (excessive-hypocritical-deceitful) are the kisses of an ‘enemy’” (Hebrew “one who hates,” 147x in the OT, Latin: “en” “incapable of” + “emy” “love”) (Proverbs 27:6)
Jesus, please give us hope.
First, The Loving Kiss of Forgiveness: “Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss , but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.’” (Luke 7:44 – 47)
Christian, you have been forgiven much; love much.
Next, The Forgiving Kiss of Compassion: “While” (the prodigal son) “was still a long way off, his father saw him and – filled with ‘compassion’ for him” (profound feelings of kind-heartedness, literally, ‘being kicked in the gut’); he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
The prodigal expected rebuke or rejection. Instead, bestowing a joyful kiss the father welcomed his unsettled, lost son. What a homecoming!
And what a relief for us! Again “kiss” here is an especially affectionate kiss. What an alternative to Judas’ kiss. God, you generate/regenerate true kisses. Corruptible love is replaced by love incorruptible.
William Edwin Orchard (1877-1955) wrote:
“Like ships storm-driven into port,/ like wanderers begging refuge from the overwhelming night,/ like prodigals seeking the father’s home when all is spent;/ yet welcomed at the open door, arms outstretched and kisses for our shame;/ so is our coming unto (You), 0 God.”
Christian, arise and, through faith, come to your Father in heaven.
Find that God has kissed others too. Those kissed by holy God shower kisses affectionately with The Family Kiss of Believers: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (Romans 16:16, also: 1Cor. 16:20; 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thes. 5:26, 1Pet. 5:14 ) Jesus, thank you for such a welcome to the family you made holy.
Friend, these wonderful kisses give us hope.
But, Psalm 85:10 declares the best: “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
How can God be both righteous and merciful at the same time? Sacrificed on Calvary’s wretched/glorious cross, Christ alone empowered righteousness and peace to kiss. We who deserved the stinging wrath of God, by faith receive His costliest, tenderest kiss.
Hallmark movies conclude with a kiss. And more, we love a wedding’s finale – the bride and groom kissing.
Friend, whatever next kiss awaits you, let it catapult you into remembering God’s dearest kiss.
