John 11:55-57 - Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country prior to the Passover, in order to purify themselves. 56 So they were looking for Jesus, and saying to one another as they stood in the temple area, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might arrest Him.
Lord thank You for this day. You are wonderful and magnificent. There are none like You. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, may it guide my every step. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
We've made it to the end of John Chapter Eleven. This has been such a deep and moving journey. I've read it so many times before, but going through it with the Lord, carefully, step by step, has opened so much more! Wow!
We find this chapter closing out with the approaching of Passover. Lots of preparations and lots of people talking about Jesus. Will He show up? Will He not? Now that the highest religious officials had given the order to arrest Him, you better believe every religious leader, teacher, scribe, and temple guard were on red alert.
One thing that really jumped out was how verse fifty-seven says, "Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders…". During the time of Jesus there were different factions among the religious leaders. One group were Sadducees and another Pharisees. These two groups had different beliefs in many things and would clash often over it. For example, Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife but the Pharisees did. There were many other things as well, but needless to say these groups did generally not hang out or get along.
Many say the "chief priests" were the men of the Sanhedrin. This was a group made up of selected Sadducees and Pharisees who were a tribunal or group that would debate and make decisions regarding Law. You could compare it to our Supreme Court, except they made rulings on religious things.
Why in the world does any of this matter?
Well.... what really got me was the fact that all these divided religious men were united in exactly one, single thing…. Jesus.
These groups argued all the time, sometimes even violently. See Acts 23:1-10. Right there in scripture you see that things got so violent between the Sadducees and Pharisees of the Sanhedrin the Roman commander feared Paul would be ripped apart by them, literally.
These same men, same groups, stand fully united in one purpose, that Jesus must be killed.
Christian, Jesus brings unity. To those of us who abide in and follow Him and His Word, there is beautiful unity in Him! However, don't overlook that Jesus also brings unity to those who hate Him, hate all He stands for, hate His Word, and hate all who genuinely abide in and follow Him. There is tolerance in this world for everything, except for the unwavering, unchangeable Jesus Christ found in the Word of God, the Way, the Truth, the Life.
This is where today's journey ended. Just some things to think about going into the weekend. Don't take my word on anything. Please don't. Be the Berean, get into the Word and let God show you directly.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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