FOR GOOD
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Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven, open my heart to receive truth from your Word today, truth that will not only encourage me but will challenge me to live a life more committed to serving you.
Read JOHN 11:45–57
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’1 Come to the table.
Recently I chatted online with two Christians living in countries where they are not free to worship openly. One has a surname that identifies him with another religion and he cannot legally convert. The other held up a scribbled note on paper, lest computer surveillance should alert the authorities to subversive language. As I listen, I am struck by parallels with our passage. Self-serving political and religious establishments have so much to gain by holding sway in the personal lives of others.
Jesus and his followers have enemies for all sorts of reasons. The same miraculous resurrection of Lazarus results both in believing and hardened hearts. The latter maliciously report to the religious authorities. Fearful of another imminent messianic revolt, the Sanhedrin convenes. Significantly, the fevered discussion is not, ‘Who is this man? Is God in his actions?’, but ‘How are we going to stop him? What if Rome responds by removing our power and privilege?’ Expediency, cynicism, and ugly boorishness from the high priest settle the matter: Jesus must die to preserve their vested interests. Innocence or guilt is inconsequential. Jerusalem residents and pilgrims must collaborate or be deemed accessories. The threat is chilling.
I pray that my persecuted friends will remember two things from this account. First, that their situations are held within the Father’s sovereignty: Caiaphas’ death wish is not a disaster. Rather, it is part of God’s astonishing saving purpose. Second, that even though they may feel isolated, they belong to God’s family. Jesus’ death accomplished a global bringing together of people with one purpose: to love, serve, suffer, and pray for his sake. Together, we live for him who never grasped power but gave his life gladly for us.
Apply
Think of someone suffering for Christ’s sake today. Connect with them offering them words of appreciation, encouragement, and support.
Closing prayer
Lord God, I lift up to you brothers and sisters who suffer for Christ’s sake, those I know and those dotted across the world. Bring them the encouragement they need to stand firm with joy and conviction.
1 Ps 23:5
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