Kiss of Death, Oil on Canvas, 40×30
This year I was asked by two friends to paint something for separate “Stations of the Cross” Easter commemorations. One I’ve already shared, Hands of Proof. In both cases I was assigned my “station,” while other artists would handle theirs.
Ironically, it was Valentine’s Day that I started work on the first one, the betrayal of Jesus. That day, NBC Internet News featured a photo story, Most Memorable Kisses of all Time. There were the likes of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind, two dogs in Lady and the Tramp, Britney Spears and Madonna proving what they could get away with on television, the sculpture by Auguste Rodin, a painting by Gustav Klimt, and the famous sailor and a young nurse in Times Square at the end of World War II.
There were more. One they missed was Marc Chagall’s rendition of a man kissing a maid and floating off to the ceiling. And another, similar, of me and Anne moments after she said, “I guess so.”
But all this is getting away from my original point, or actually closer to it. That point being that the most famous kiss of all time was not a romantic one at all, but the one by which Judas betrayed his friend Jesus Christ.
Certainly the NBC people can be forgiven for not including this on Valentine’s Day. It’s in a category all its own.
You know the story. The Last Supper had just happened, during which Judas excused himself early. Jesus went to the garden to pray and sweat blood, all the while knowing what was next. Judas, now 30 dollars richer, returned with the government and the army. He’d told them, “The one I kiss is him.”
It’s not as strange as it may sound, such kissing, particularly mouth to cheek . . . it being a common form of familiar greeting in those days, and still, in those parts. “Nobody will notice anything unusual,” Judas must have thought. But Jesus remarked on it, and its incredible irony, “You betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”*
An evil deed indeed, one for which Judas surely could never get the taste of out of his mouth.
In any case, it’s the most famous kiss in history, or most infamous.
Note in my painting, the evil visages lurking behind. I never painted them in, believe me, at least not intentionally. They just showed up, making the piece seem all the more historical.
You know how it ends. Judas and the lynch mob meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. For that we take heart. It all became a new beginning.
Happy Easter.
________________
*Luke 22:48
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
7:03 am
Interesting and emotional. Thanks Hyatt!! Happy Easter to you and Anne!!
7:16 am
This brought tears…the juxtaposition of a tender kiss from a trusted friend bringing such pain and agony. We have a tendency to gloss over that pivotal point in Jesus journey. Thank you Hyatt for reminding me of the heartache Jesus experienced so that I may have the opportunity to know God. And beautiful painting.
8:02 am
What a wonderful pointer toward Easter!
Happy Easter to you and your family!
9:52 am
Perhaps where the phrase, “necessary evil,” was conceived. Those subtle, yet historical moments, led to the drama of the Cross, changing so many of us, forever. We rejoice together, Hyatt, a blessed Easter weekend to you and your family!
4:29 pm
Well done, Hyatt.
That greeting of betrayal started the avalanche of awfulness that we remember at this time. The death of God. Mankind killing its Creator. The children killing the loving parent. No murder is worse than that.
Thanks for an excellent portrayal.
Jack
7:35 pm
I shared with Kevin, my husband, the part that you asked Anne to marry you and then the kiss after she said, “I guess so!!!!!!!!!!!” hahahaha! He and I just laughed and laughed! Life is so full of funny things like this, especially between two people meant for each other and being together for so long. We have those memories too after almost 38 years of marriage. But back to this kiss from Judas meant for the destruction of Christ—-all glory to God! that did not happen! ALL Praise to our Father in heaven!!!!!!!!!!! You made me remember and put an explanation point on this moment. I sure would not have wanted to be Judas after that. What a bad choice. I am glad that my evil is never meant for God’s destruction. Only for my redemption because of what Jesus did for me/all of us! Amen! Blessed Easter to all! Thanks Hyatt! Lisa
6:26 am
Hyatt sometimes I think some televangelists are like Judas, in that they seem to talk about Jesus with Holiness then sell them “Holy water” or “Holy cloth” or anything for the public to send them money. That seems to be the same thing as selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Hyatt you always make me think. Thank you
8:30 am
Wow!
9:19 pm
My son in law, an urban sketcher, says you are getting better all the time. See his web site. Kunst-by-Rob. What say ye?
7:33 am
Thank you Hyatt for your painting of “the kiss”. Brings such a deep response to my heart. Happy Easter , Pam & John