In my text this week Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss so I did a quick Bible search to find all the kissing of the Bible.

1. Most kissing in the Bible is family kissing, usually same sex at a tearful and important reunion. Special note the father kissing the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

2. There is political kissing, servants kissing kings.

3. Some kissing of idols, negative of course.

4. There’s not a lot of romantic kissing. The two exceptions are Jacob kissing Rachel at the well at their first meeting. This is REALLY exceptional stuff. Apart from this the only other romantic or sexual kissing is Song of Songs or the temptress in the book of Proverbs.

5. The “sinful” woman kisses Jesus’ feet in Luke 7. Again, this is dramatic stuff, no wonder the town leaders were horrified.

6. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and Jesus highlights that irony. Given the majority of kissing, points 1 and 2 you can see why.

7. There’s also the “holy kiss” as a greeting among Christians. I think again in terms of familial reunion.