Sealed with a Kiss…
Several sorts or contexts for kissing are found in scripture.
In The Old Testament we discover kisses 1) of relatives (Gen. 27:26, 27; 29:11; 33:4; 45:15; 48:10; 50:1; Ex. 4:27; 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 14); 2 Sam. 14:33; 1 Ki. 19:20); 2) Of friendship (1 Sam. 20:41; 2 Sam. 15:5; 19:39; 20:9; Prov. 27:6); 3) Of love (Songs 1:2; Prov. 7:13); 4) Of homage (1 Sam. 10:1; Ps. 2:12); 5) Of idolatrous practices (1 Ki. 19:18; Hos. 13:2; Job 31:27); and 6) Used figuratively ( Ps. 85:10; Prov. 24:26; Ezek. 3:13).
At least fifteen saints of the Old Testament are mentioned kissing: Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Ruth, Orpah, Samuel, David, Jonathan, Absalom, Joab, and Elisha.
In the New Testament we find kisses of friendship (phileo) such as the sort Jesus seems to have anticipated in Luke 7:45a when He said to Simon, “You did not give me a kiss…” and which Judas feigned when he identified Jesus in his heinous act of betrayal, “Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). We also find ardent kisses (kataphileo) as those in Luke 7:45b, “…this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet” and also given by the father of the returning prodigal (Luke 15:20).
Four times in the epistles of Paul and once in that of Peter the believers to whom they were written are urged “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (Rom 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, 1 Thess. 5:26, 1 Pet. 5:14). This is not a sexual kiss, but a kiss of unity, a kiss of Agapé love which distinguishes the redeemed family of God.
This past Sunday Pastor Andrew spoke to us from Psalm 2. He spoke to us of the rebellion prevalent in our age, how all the world is rising up with increasing fervor to assert themselves as independent of Christ… to assert themselves as above Christ, above His rule… as masters of their own destinies!
How foolish! Indeed! Elsewhere in scripture we read “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1). How much more foolish is it indeed if a person acknowledges God yet believes he can rise above Him!? Can I acknowledge there is a freight train rushing towards me yet stand on the track and believe I can stare it down? Can I acknowledge that there is a meteor plummeting toward my home yet believe my high-quality shingles will withstand it? Can I leap into the Grand Canyon yet believe I can land upright unscathed? Would I be a fool if I believed any of these things? Most certainly!
So what is such an arrogant fool to do should he realize the folly of his ways?
The advice of Psalm 2 is this, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry” (Psalm 2:12). Kiss the son not hypocritically but in obeisance to Him bowing before Him acknowledging He is Lord. ‘Kiss’ Him. Make peace with Him. Come near Him. Come in contact. Kiss as relative for He is not ashamed to call us His brethren. Kiss as a friend for He has said “You are my friends…” Kiss in love for the Church is His Bride. Above all, kiss in homage for He is our Great King!
Turn from your rebellion! Fall down before Him! Name Him as your Lord. Seal it with a kiss!
More tomorrow…
thebrokenrunner 
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