Friday October 21, John 11.45-57

John 11.45-57
45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. 47So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” 49But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” 51He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. 53So from that day on they planned to put him to death. 54Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples. 55Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?” 57Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Thoughts: Surely he wont show up, will he? Everyone knew that the authorities were out to arrest Jesus, if not kill him. But the question remained would he show up or not? Here I think the story of Lazarus is supposed to help our anxiety, both for Jesus and for ourselves. The answer is of course, yes, he will show up. Jesus will walk quite literally into the very gates of hell before he is done claiming the world once and for all for the glory of God.

Questions: Have you ever wondered if God was really with you? Have you ever entered into a dangerous place or situation, knowing that you had to proceed?