This is such a powerful scene.
I can see it all – the darkness of the garden, the fear in the disciples, the sudden invasion of folks with torches, clubs and knives.
And then the kiss is such a powerful and gut wrenching moment – when Judas betrays Jesus with an act of love.
But at the same time, it doesn't make much sense as a literal account of events.
There is no need for Judas to identify Jesus. Everyone knew what he looked like because he had been teaching openly and very publicly in the temple for days and days.
Which makes me think that this is a moment when the story is not about the literal truth of what happened: but it has entered the realm of myth and poetry and legend.
Perhaps it has never left it.
That doesn't mean it's any the less true. On the country: it means that its truth is more profound.
And I know if I was writing the scene, I would very much want to know what was going on at the moment of that kiss.
What was Judas thinking? Was he really full of hatred?
Perhaps this was really an act of love. Perhaps he was making the ultimate sacrifice to help the man he loved to fulfil his destiny.
I don't know. Like so much else in this story, it is full of mystery….
Yes, do tell me your thoughts!
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