The Holy Kiss

Introduction
 
A while ago an acquaintance of mine sent a short message via messenger service to my mobile phone.
Wanting to add a sticker to the message, this person accidentally pressed a kiss sticker which I then received.
Said person informed me that the choice of sticker was a mishap.
 
The Holy Kiss
 
When I received this message said sticker attached, the LORD reminded me on the scriptures where it states that we should greet one another with the holy kiss (see Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14).
 
Romans 16:16:
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
 
1 Corinthians 16:20:
20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
 
2 Corinthians 13:12:
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:26:
26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.
 
1 Peter 5:14:
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
 
The Greek word used for „kiss“ in the scriptures above is „phịlēma“ and stems from the Greek root word „philẹō“ which means „to be good friends, amicable love, to like someone“.
The word „philẹō“ describes a loving or amicable liking which is primarily based on common interests. (part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study bible on the Greek words „phịlēma – kiss“ and „philẹō“ with word key numbers 5185, 5183)
 
The Kiss As The Seal Of Unity
 
With this explanation we understand, that among other things, the kiss is a sign that we share the same interests in Jesus Christ, so that others recognize true discipleship (see John 13:35).
 
John 13:35:
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
 
It is furthermore of interest that the „holy kiss“ at the end of the above mentioned letters refers to an appeal to greet one another.
Consequently, the „holy kiss“ depicts a kind of visible seal for interests shared.
Jesus was aware of the meaning of the „holy kiss“, which is why He addressed Judas during His capture in Gethsemane, asking him whether he would really betray Him with a kiss (see Luke 22:47-48).
 
Luke 22:47-48:
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
 
Jesus basically asked Judas, whether he really sought the same interests as Jesus in accordance to the plan of His heavenly father.
It wasn't the case with Judas, because he kissed Jesus for love of money (see John 12:4-6; Matthew 26:14-16 i.c.w. Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10).
 
John 12:4-6:
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.“
6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
 
Matthew 26:14-16:
14 Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
 
Matthew 6:24:
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (note: love of money).
 
1 Timothy 6:10:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
 
The Kiss As A Sign For Spiritual Warfare
 
When we study the Hebrew term for „kiss“, we see that it is the Hebrew word „nĕšîqā“, deriving from the Hebrew root word „nāšaq“; it means „to kiss, to yield“ and is also connected to the words „to touch each other, to equip oneself, weapons, equipment and arsenal/armory“ (part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study bible on the Greek words „nĕšîqā“ and „nāšaq“ with language key numbers 5480*, 5491).
 
It is no coincidence that the apostle John mentions love as a successful weapon against the influence of fear, as well as touching someone is connected with impartation of anointing and also restoration (see 1 John 4:18; Acts 8:17; James 5:14).
 
1 John 4:18:
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
 
Acts 8:17:
17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
 
James 5:14:
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
 
The „Kiss Of God“ And The Rebuilding Of The Wall Of Jerusalem
 
In addition, the „kiss of God“ is hidden in Nehemiah 3:19, where the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem (note: fortress of peace) under Nehemiah's guidance is described.
In this passage the restoration of the wall is connected to the “arsenal or armoury”.
 
Nehemiah 3:19:
19 Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle of the wall.
 
The Order Of The Workmen During The Rebuilding Of Jerusalem's Wall
 
Looking at the order in which the workers rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah, we see that the workers in Nehemiah 3:18, 19, 20 are mentioned in succession.
The Hebrew word for „next“ is „jād and is connected to the correspondent tenth Hebrew letter „jod“, which Jesus referred to regarding the fulfillment of the Word of God (see Matthew 5:17-19).
 
Matthew 5:17-19:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter (note.: Greek, „iōta“ points towards the tenth Hebrew letter „jod“ an its numeric value „10“), not the least stroke of a pen (note.: Greek, „kerạịa – hook, horn and refers to the Hebrew letter „jod“ and its numeric value „10“), will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
 
This means we receive the directive of God through His hand/His finger (note: The numerical value „10“ of the word „jod“ points towards God's instruction in the ten commandments), which causes us to advance securely in the will of God.
It is the LORD, who guides us with His powerful hand and who helps us by means of prophetic vision to look from a higher spiritual perspective.
This is revealed by the names in Nehemiah 3:19.
  1. the son Ezer => „help”
  2. the father Jeshua => „JAHWE is help“
  3. ruler of the region of Mizpa => „mountainous height, look-out“
This is the way in which we should advance while building on the foundation of true holy fellowship and the older generation, and we should also move ahead with a heart of worship in the grace of God, which is Jesus Christ (note: who died and was resurrected).
This is clarified by the first three names mentioned in Nehemiah 3:18.
 
Nehemiah 3:18:
18 Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah.
  1. the son Binnui => „building, family, offspring“
  2. the father Henadad => “grace and favor of Hadad” (thunder/blast = voice of God; Exodus19:16.19; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 10:4)
  3. ruler over half the region of Keïla/Kehila/Kegila – “a drawn out mountain or mountain ridge” (note: was a city in the tribe of Judah – „praise, worship“)
In all of this, we should bear in mind that we are blessed ones and have been made pure i.e. blameless through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is the love of the Father (see John 3:16).
 
John 3:16:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 
Let us continue to restore the things Holy Spirit shows us and to build or grow towards Him who is the head and precious cornerstone, namely Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 2:20)!
It is He who returns that which is lost (see Luke 15:24 i.c.w. Joel 2:25-27)!
 
Luke 15:24:
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
 
Joel 2:25-27:
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
 
This becomes clear by the direction in which they built the wall and in the three names mentioned in Nehemiah 3:20.
 
Nehemiah 3:20:
20 Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  1. the son Baruch => „blessed“
  2. the father Sabbai => „innocent, pure“
  3. built towards the mountain and from the angle to the front door of the high priest Eliashib => „God will bring back.“
Renewal And Restoration
 
As this message is about the „holy kiss“ in conjunction with the restoration of the wall of Jerusalem, I would like to conclude that the Hebrew word for „renewal/restoration“ is connected to the word „strengthening or to gain strength“.
Relating to the „holy kiss“, it illustrates to us that advancement in God's plan with a common interest generates strength.
 
Amen and Amen.
 
In His wisdom,
 
Daniel Glimm
Übersetzung: Margit Kelly