Greet one another with a holy kiss. Not in our culture. A kiss can means so many things in our days. To some, it may be just a greeting like shaking of hands. To another a kiss may be closely associated with intimacy and romance. Yet to some it may be used as a mean to part peacefully. What then does kisses means in scripture?

In the book of Genesis, Jacob offered a stew for the birthright of his elder brother Esau. Later Jacob cheated the father’s blessings by pretending to be Esau. When Esau found out, he was furious and he sweared he will kill his brother Jacob. Jacob ran for his life.

It was then Jacob met with the Angel of the Lord and his life changed. After many years of hiding he decided to reconcile with Esau his brother. Knowing his brother is a tough man Jacob was worried that Esau may harm him and his family. He sent gifts and divided his people into groups in case Esau turned hostile.

The story ended beautifully with Esau welcoming Jacob with a kiss in Genesis 27:26. This was the first time a kiss was mentioned and it symbolises forgiveness and reunion.

Apostle Paul later urged the church to greet each other with a holy kiss. He intentionally wrote about kisses to the church in Romans, Corinth and Thessalonica. In these letters Apostle Paul addressed a common issue - division in the church.

We can learn from scripture the heart of God about forgiveness and reunion. That is the reason for the Gospel. The forgiveness and reunion of God and mankind. The Psalmist wrote:

Psalm 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

May we seek forgiveness and reunion with our Lord today, trusting in His work on the cross that ransom us from the wretched state our our being. Then we can live for Him and “kiss” others.