The Plot to Kill Jesus

The fear of losing earthly things can inhibit faith…

John 11:45-57
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.

The fear is obvious. The Jewish officials are scared that the Romans would take away what they had. That all of the earthly wealth that they were given by Rome would be taken from them. They held onto the seen and had trouble believing that Jesus would bring them everything not of this world. He was here to bring them eternal gifts.

I can only imagine how many on this earth have wealth, whether it be in the form of actual cash or in land or investments that have struggled with belief. I can only imagine how many times they sat at the precipice of a monumental decision that only became difficult because they might lose earthly wealth. How many times a decision was made not because it was the right thing to do, but only because it was the easy thing to do. I am sure those instances are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Our flesh can inhibit so much.

The thought comes to mind that the reason Jesus left to the countryside was to ease some of the pain for those that believed but we’re too afraid to let go if this world’s wealth. He must’ve sensed the agony in them. He must of sensed man’s inability to let go of this earthly wealth and trust Him. He left so that we could seek Him, and when we do, we find Him waiting for us. No matter what we did, said, or will do or say, He waits. Many sought Him then. Many seek Him now.

As your relationship grows with the Holy Spirit, He begins to stretch your faith and grow you. You are placed in positions that require faith, and in places where that faith can be shown publicly to glorify Him. The opportunities are endless and will forever come to you, onlyvif you continue to seek Him. Seek, and you shall find. Ask, and you shall receive.

Tonight I seek His face. I look for in every part of my life. I see His hands shaping me and molding me, and I see His work being the most obvious the further He stretches my faith. I am left only to rely on Him. Without Him, I am nothing. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK