Pictures courtesy of John S Pow, https://www.fb.com/JSP92photography
Angels and archangels might have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
However solely His mom in her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss
Mary, do you know…
And if you kiss your little child
You’ve kissed the face of God ?
This devotional has little in widespread with New 12 months’s Day, besides perhaps there can be hugs and kisses exchanged in the present day by buddies and family members exchanging blessings wanting ahead to the brand new 12 months. The subject material is one which has been on my thoughts from our Christmas service on the Mustard Seed on twenty second December final 12 months; being impressed by the stanza shared above, from the carol “In The Bleak Midwinter” composed by the nineteenth century English poet Christina Rossetti. As we sang the carol, the phrases from the fourth stanza touched my coronary heart – Mary showered her child with tender kisses, none apart from “the Beloved.” It jogged my memory of the extra fashionable carol, “Mary Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry proclaiming that she “kissed the face of God.” These lyrics alone are profound, worthy of a lot meditation. Whereas the organ nonetheless performed, a query arose in my thoughts – how far more does God’s Phrase say about kisses?
A fast search will present that there are 45 references to kissing within the Bible; and most of those are filial greetings inside households. As we all know ourselves, kissing requires each closeness and belief from each events, displaying intimacy. The Center-Jap and Asian areas are recognized for his or her greetings of kissing. When Isaac was outdated and his eyes have been dim, he mentioned to Jacob (who he thought was Esau), “Come close to and kiss me, my son” (Genesis 27:26). A filial kiss would convey him shut sufficient to scent, contact, and ensure which son it was.
As we work by means of the cases of kissing in Scripture, we discover distinct varieties of kisses. The most typical are the greeting kiss or farewell kiss. A second kind of kiss is the sort that we in the present day (at the least within the West) most likely assume could be the bulk: the marital kiss. Within the fashionable age, we’re not aware of the regal kisses wrapped up with historic kingship. When the kiss comes from a topic to his king, we would name it a “kiss of homage.” Greater than only a bow, which may occur at a distance and denotes submission, the kiss expresses a coronary heart of devotion and love, even delight. The kiss of homage additionally presumes the belief of the king, who permits a topic into such proximity with the dignitary.
To return to the matter of kissing our treasured Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, two different incidents got here to my thoughts on that Sunday. The primary being the sinful lady who approached Jesus at dinner in Simon the Pharisees’ home, pouring costly fragrance on his toes and kissing them tenderly (Luke 7:36-38). It was probably the most lovely act of repentant love by a sinner for his or her King – these have been regal kisses for the King of glory. Against this, we come to the traitor’s kiss by considered one of His personal disciples: “Now he who was betraying Him gave them an indication, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He’s the one; seize Him.” Instantly Judas went to Jesus and mentioned, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.” (Matthew 26:48-49). The three kisses of our Lord shared from the gospels (despite the fact that the primary one shouldn’t be recorded, it did occur) are a journey of meditation for our soul. The ultimate kiss of Judas is past my understanding; how may he know who Jesus was and betray Him in such a private means?
Pricey Reader, I’m of the opinion that not all incidents of kisses of our Lord are recorded, however every confirmed recognition and love for the Messiah. These individuals gave Him what that they had, realizing that they might by no means give Him sufficient. The identical is true of us in the present day, at first of a brand new 12 months.
What can I give Him
Poor as I’m?
If I have been a shepherd, I might give a lamb
If I have been a clever man, I might do my half
But what I can, I give Him
Give my coronary heart
Helpful Reads: Uncomfortably Affectionate, The God We Can Kiss, each written by David Mathis the manager editor of Wanting God.
Copyright © devotionaltreasure.wordpress.com, 2020, All Rights Reserved.
