Text: John 11:45-57
Caiaphas and most of the chief priests witnessed unprecedented miracles and signs Jesus performed for their benefit and still… their collective wisdom concluded He was a blasphemer, a threat and according to Scripture, had to die.
Their blindness raises troubling questions for all of us. Or it should. The religious leaders of the nation had marginalized God in almost everything they did. Sacrifices had become commercialized rituals. Education resulted in callous self-promotion and selfish ambition. What could be gained in the here and now trumped any moral or ethical concerns.
Have things changed much?
All of humanity seem to value outcomes infinitely more than motives. Judging outcomes based on personal prosperity or some other benefit to family or self. The God of the Bible operates differently.
How do we guard ourselves from becoming like the chief priests?
After the events in Chapter 11 we are just a few weeks from Passover and Jesus’ wholehearted sacrifice for the benefit of any who are willing to surrender their lives to Him. Follow Him. Take cues for living daily from Him and His Word. Radically different, like Jesus was. Is that too radical?
Does your heart hear more of cultures wisdom than God’s? What are your choices telling others about what you think of God’s command to be holy? If you’re at all like me you're embarrassed at how often “little” concessions concerning my personal holiness are characterized as "no big deal."
Unfortunately, none of us know where the tipping point is with these little concessions. When will we shift from prioritizing our faith choices and wind up as blind as Caiaphas and the majority of chief priests?
As our culture continues its attack on anything faith based in God, we all need to heighten our awareness and hold each other to God’s standard as He’s laid it out for us in His Word. Lovingly, but unwavering to cultural pressures.
"Beware of the leaven of the Pharisee’s" is the way Jesus put it. Guard your heart and commit your ways to the Lord... wholeheartedly. For your joy and benefit of others, and do it daily!
