Kissing seems is a theme in my Bible reading these days. (Mark and I follow the Moravian daily texts, reading through the Bible every two years, and we just finished Absalom\u2019s rebellion.) It\u2019s got me thinking…<\/p>\n
Kissing has long been a political strategy used to win loyalty. I saw this scene played over and over on television recently: a prominent political candidate kissing the baby. How sweet. He\u2019s not the first. Absalom used this tactic very successfully, and if his long hair wouldn\u2019t have gotten in the way of a large tree branch, he might have won the battle and secured the throne for himself.<\/p>\n
Kissing has been misused throughout history, and we see this played out in the Bible as well:<\/p>\n
Insincere kissing
\nAbsalom kissed David and then proceeded to turn on him, rebel against his authority and finally usurp his throne. 2 Samuel 14:33 <\/p>\n
Calculated kissing.
\nAbsalom\u2019s strategy to rise to the throne of Israel involved kissing the king\u2019s subjects to win over their political loyalty. 2 Samuel 15:5.<\/p>\n
And there are other forms of kissing in the Bible as well… <\/p>\n
The Kiss of death.
\nJudas\u2019 kiss betrayed Jesus to his death, being the indicating factor of Jesus\u2019 identity (it was dark and many in the crowd who were sent to arrest him would not have recognized him otherwise). Mark 14:44,45<\/p>\n
Scandalous kissing.
\nAn immoral woman washed Jesus\u2019 feet with her tears; she let her hair down (a shocking act in itself), wiped his feet with her hair, and kept kissing his feet while pouring perfume on them. Luke 7:36-47<\/p>\n
Passionate kissing.
\n\u201cKiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine.\u201d 1 Song of Songs 1:2. Enough said.<\/p>\n
Grateful kissing.
\n\u201cDavid blessed Barzillai and kissed him.\u201d 2 Sam 19:39. David was indebted to this good man for being one of three thoughtful gentlemen who supplied David and his loyal troops with provisions while they waited out Absalom\u2019s tantrum. <\/p>\n
The kiss of reconciliation and forgiveness.
\nThe offended, discarded father of the prodigal was the first to run and embrace and kiss his rebel son. Luke 15:20<\/p>\n
And then there is this… <\/p>\n
In the New Testament letters Paul the Apostle encourages followers of Jesus the \u201cgreet one another with a holy kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n
A holy kiss.
\nMy New Living Translation Study Bible notes that, \u201cKissing on the cheek or forehead was a common form of greeting that reflected such sentiments as honor, friendship, and love among family members… The kiss of peace became a standard feature of the Christian liturgy by the second century.\u201d Kisses were a mark of family belonging… When I was a child I recall my Aunt Anna planting kisses on my cheek, and she always made me realize I was one of the family. Family… Tenderness, touch, a graceful intimacy… These are to mark our relationships in the family of God. <\/p>\n
So today let\u2019s extend the family blessing with a \u201choly kiss.\u201d That\u2019s my mission today… To spread the blessing of our Father\u2019s family to those who come into my life… <\/p>\n
Hugs and kisses. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kissing seems is a theme in my Bible reading these days. (Mark and I follow the Moravian daily texts, reading through the Bible every two years, and we just finished Absalom\u2019s rebellion.) It\u2019s got me thinking… Kissing has long been a political strategy used to win loyalty. I saw this scene played over and over…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":481,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[272,275,270,271,274,273],"class_list":["post-444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-election","tag-holy-kiss","tag-kissing","tag-political","tag-politician","tag-strategy"],"yoast_head":"\n