As High Priest That Year He Prophesied
"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. John 11: 47-53
In God’s eyes it was better that Jesus die than His whole creation perish. Today it is no different. It is better that the Lord’s body be persecuted than we obtain some kind of moral majority and try to force His righteousness on those who have not tasted His salvation.
It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord. If righteousness could be legislated, then it would have succeeded in Israel in Bible days. They had perfect Laws and a righteous Judge. As good a foundation as we’ve had in this country, America’s laws have never been THAT perfect. It turns out that God plans to bring His Kingdom to pass not through works of righteousness of man but by His grace alone.
Jesus is working His righteousness into His people, and they will suffer as He did, outside the camp. Part of the suffering is simply the rejection by peers. Before the first drop of your blood is shed, you will have died a thousand deaths in choosing to please God more than man.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
