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 12:9-11,
"Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him."
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead it created an explosive uproar among the Jews. Many Jews were now turning to Jesus. Also, as the Jewish leaders saw this turn of events, it sent them into a swirl of activity that focused on murdering both Jesus as well as Lazarus who was literally "living proof" of all Jesus claimed to be.
The chief priests justified their intention of murdering both Lazarus and Jesus by claiming it was needful to protect the nation. "If we let him [Jesus] go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation." John 11:48. The depth of depravity and level of illegitimate reasoning of these Jewish leaders is astounding.
"Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him."
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead it created an explosive uproar among the Jews. Many Jews were now turning to Jesus. Also, as the Jewish leaders saw this turn of events, it sent them into a swirl of activity that focused on murdering both Jesus as well as Lazarus who was literally "living proof" of all Jesus claimed to be.
The chief priests justified their intention of murdering both Lazarus and Jesus by claiming it was needful to protect the nation. "If we let him [Jesus] go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation." John 11:48. The depth of depravity and level of illegitimate reasoning of these Jewish leaders is astounding.
The Lord created the nation of Israel for the specific purpose of providing an atonement for sins he would make available to mankind. Israel was to be the vehicle through which the Lord would speak to mankind (the Scriptures and history of the nation), as well as to provide the human lineage of Jesus Christ. Now that Israel's redeemer stood among them, they simply could not see it.
And yet, it is amazing to see how the Lord used the leaders of the Jews and others to carry out his plans perfectly. The evil and sinful acts of these leaders of Israel only furthered all the Lord intended and the redemption of mankind was executed perfectly!
The "greater good" these Jewish leaders thought they were pursuing was pitiful compared to the greater good the Lord actually brought about.
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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