The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 11:47-53,
"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. 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.' Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.' He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life."
Jesus brought Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, back to life after he had been dead for four days. This was done publicly and, as you might expect, caused an explosive uproar, both among those who turned to Jesus and those who were his enemies, Jesus had simply become a threat to their positions of power.
"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. 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.' Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.' He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life."
Jesus brought Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, back to life after he had been dead for four days. This was done publicly and, as you might expect, caused an explosive uproar, both among those who turned to Jesus and those who were his enemies, Jesus had simply become a threat to their positions of power.
I note that Caiaphas, the high priest (the one Jesus was sent to following his arrest, John 18:24) unknowingly prophesied about the atonement that Jesus, as the Messiah, would make of himself.
I think some may find it startling that people can be gifted by God to perform what it is God wants done. Even if they are horrible sinners, like Caiaphas and an enemy of Jesus Christ.
Just because a person may use some spiritual gift, it does not always convey they are a spiritually mature person, someone who has excelled in their relationship with the Lord. They may not even know the Lord at all. I am reminded of King Saul in 1 Samuel 10:9-11.
The high priest who sought to have Jesus put to death prophesied about Jesus' atoning death! Astonishing!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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