Lenten Devotion 26 March 2011

Lenten Devotion for 26 March 2011 Anno Domini

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. John 11:45-57

The miracle which Christ has just performed is not subject to doubt. ALL who witnessed the miracle were convinced of its authenticity. There are two responses to this amazing miracle of Christ that we observe in the text: 1) Belief and submission - Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 2) Belief accompanied by rejection - But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. You may doubt this last conclusion of belief, but look at the continuing context: 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles Those who saw the miracle, and yet rejected Christ, carried their message to the Pharisees who believe the reported miracle. The messengers (those who rebelled at Christ on seeing the raising of Lazarus) must have been convincing! Men will often go to great lengths to rationalize away the truth in favor of a lie. In this case, the deliberations of the Pharisees were nebulous and informed of political concerns (sound familiar?). Truth was not the point – politics and jealousy WERE!
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. Why did these men conclude that all men would believe on Christ were He to be left alone? Because the evidence was overwhelming, even in their sight, that Christ was precisely who He claimed to be!

There was one man present at this conference who was wicked beyond all measure and, yet, he was the High Priest. He was a man who coveted power and hated righteousness. With Caiaphas, the end (his end) always justified the means. Righteousness was not considered in his judgments. But God uses even the wicked to pronounce His will at times particular, and this was that particular time. Even oblivious to the supreme truth of his utterance, Caiaphas, as High Priest, uttered a definite and true prophecy: 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Not just the nation of Israel, but for the people – ALL people! The text reads: 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. That is, all Israel, or all the people of God. The will of God in His redemption of His elect would be accomplished at the hands of evil men. Those who hated Him most would be the very agents for assuring His victory over death and sin!

What is the fruit of the ungodly? 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. If we stand not with God, we stand with the adversary of our souls, and thus the Pharisees chose their estate in Hell. To reject Christ is to go over all the way to evil. We read about these men and others like them in Isaiah 59:7 - Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Because He knew their intentions and belligerence, Christ avoided the Jews until the time would be ripe for His offering Himself up. The lesson for us is to walk not among the ungodly unless it is according to God’s plan and, then, only if a righteous reason exists. Do not over-tempt evil emotions.

And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand It certainly was at hand, and how much so, little did they know or comprehend. The type always foreshadows the fullness of that typified! Christ, from Eternity Past, has ever been our Passover. He it is who is the “Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world!” The innocent and spotless little lambs could not atone for sin, but their innocent blood foreshadowed the One who could, indeed, atone. When the Angel of Death descended upon the land of Egypt that fateful night preceding the exodus, His penetrating eye spotted at once the homes over whose doorposts and lintels the blood of the lamb was applied, and He saw the blood (in type) of the only Begotten of the Father – and He passed over. What blessed assurance do we of the flock of Christ have that this same Angel shall surely PASSOVER us at that last day coming when He sees the blood under which we abide!

Amazing! As if on cue, these bloodthirsty hypocrites, knowing that Passover was approaching, did not seek out a usual Passover lamb, but looked from the Temple porch for that Lamb of God so promised to appear. Many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple.
What astounding blindness! They even put out warrants to find Him and bring Him to the altar of sacrifice. They needed not wait long, for instead of being drawn by force to the place of sacrifice, Christ made a royal entry into it just hours later………