John 11:53-54 - 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.
Thank You Lord for another day of life. You are awesome and wonderful. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, that You would awaken them and draw them to follow You this day. Let the Your church find unity in Jesus, not in a church name, building, or pastor. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Before, all of Jesus' run ins were with minor religious authorities around the temple. Now it was the highest levels, with real authority and power, who planned to murder Him. Now, the wheels were fully moving towards the cross.
Jesus' trip to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead was the catalyst for the high priests meeting and plot to kill Him. However, it wasn't time for the cross just yet. So, we see Jesus and the disciples head to Ephraim, which is about fifteen miles Northeast of Jerusalem. It was closer to Samaria and near the wilderness. Not somewhere He was likely to run into those who sought His murder.
It says Jesus "no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews". It occurs to me that the selfish plotting of religious leaders had now made it where Jesus could no longer walked openly among these people. This wasn't out of fear of course. Jesus knew where all this was leading so, He wasn't scared.
A question comes to my mind on this. Because of these leaders caring more about "their" temple and "their" nation, how many people, how many blind, deaf, sick, even healthy, how many missed the blessing of having Jesus walk by, or speak to them, or heal them, or teach, etc...?
Now I'm not saying God is limited in any capacity, but because of these religious men and the timing of things it restricted the open movement of Jesus. Read it again in the Word: "Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples."
Christian, anytime a person, a pastor, a congregation, or a church focuses more on themselves, their programs, their place, than they do God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and His Word, this will limit or even stop His movement in lives, in the pulpit, in the pews, or inside the walls of a church building.
Just something to think about today. For me I have been praying Psalm 139 to the Lord each day, asking Him to search me and reveal to me any selfish or wicked things that need to be addressed. Beloved, I pray you would do the same. Let's not limit God by blindly focusing on ourselves to the point we make our lives or things in our lives an idol above Him.
That's where things went for today. Don't take my word on anything, instead be the Berean and get into the bible to read for yourself.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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