The Holy Kiss

The Holy Kiss

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 (NIV)

What do you think of when you read the word kiss? Passion, as a kiss for a spouse or a dating couple? Tenderness, as when kissing children?

A kiss was a common greeting in Paul’s day. In 1 Thessalonians 5:26, he says, “Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss” (NIV). The Anabaptists continue the tradition. In some Amish churches all members greet one another with a kiss; women kiss women and men kiss men.

A kiss is a symbol of love, goodwill, and unity. When one person is in conflict with another, the last thing he or she wants to do is offer a kiss, to be vulnerable enough to allow the other person to get that close. Members of an Amish community are closely connected in everyday life. A holy kiss affirms relationships. But it also can open the door to great hurt: “A crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’” (Luke 22:47-48).

The closer we are to someone, the deeper the hurt when that person betrays us. Even though Jesus knew His time had come—and knew His betrayer—the sting of Judas’s actions still must have gone deep. When someone hurts us, it’s easy to put up a wall and not allow anyone else to grow close. But in the Amish church, that’s not an option. The holy kiss is not only a greeting and a blessing. It’s also a powerful reminder that even though we’ve been hurt in the past, at this moment we must forgive, release our pain, and trust again.

Dear heavenly Father, the pain of betrayal stings deeply, but I hand it over to You. Jesus, Your example of forgiveness—even after being hurt and rejected—is an example to me. Help me today to step forward toward the relationships in my life as a symbol of the love You’ve given to me.