Picture the scene: the Garden of Gethsemane, eleven weary men, Jesus having just completed heart-wrenching prayer of submission to His Father”™s will, the sound of an approaching crowd with the clank of swords and clubs with torches held high for light, led by Judas Iscariot.

(NASB) Matthew 26:48-50 “Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “˜Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”™

49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “˜Hail, Rabbi!”™ and kissed Him.

50 And Jesus said to him, “˜Friend, do what you have come for.”™ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.”

The “˜kiss of Judas”™ is an act of betrayal. Judas Iscariot was a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is ugly and betrays people. Hypocrisy is false friendship.

Who do you betray with false friendship? Toward whom are you hypocritical? The Dictionary defines “˜hypocrisy”™: “The feigning of beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; insincerity.”

Jesus condemned hypocrisy in the Jewish religious leaders (See Matthew 23) in the strongest terms.

Was Jesus surprised by Judas”™ hypocrisy? No, it had been prophesied in Psalm 41:9.

(NASB) Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted,

Who ate my bread,

Has lifted up his heel against me.”

(NASB) 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

How shall you now pray?