ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET; THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER, 2023.
TEXT: JOHN 11: 45 - 57.
SPIRITUAL FOCUS: THE DECISION WAS MADE AGAINST JESUS.
In yesterday's study we heard Jesus wept, that is, when He saw Mary weeping over the death of her brother Lazarus. Then He calls Lazarus out of the grave, and Lazarus came.
This miracle made Lazarus' brethren very happy. But some Jews who did not share in God's kingdom did not like it, so they invcited the Pharisees to arrest Jesus. This was not because Jesus had committed any crime, but because of the good deeds He had done, which drew people to Him.
Even today we have many "Jews and Pharisees" who are hostile to the good works of the followers of Christ. The Pharisees immediately called a meeting of the council to decide what to do (vs. 47). At the council, Caiaphas was the high priest, and he said to them, "it is better for one person to die, than for many to die.
" Caiaphas' words to God about the timing of this miraculous event were the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. The word is a prophecy about Jesus'death on the cross to save all sinners because the Lord does not like the death of a sinner (Ezek. 18: 23, 32).
Whatever hypocrisy is done against us, the Lord will deliver us.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: In your heart, you will do God's will.
PRAYER: Lord God, I beseech You, help me in my life to do Your will in the name of Jesus, Amen.
JOHN 11: 45 - 57 (KJV).
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.
