Hope in Times of Trial

Grace

John 11:45-57 New International Version (NIV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

Saturday - April 4 - Read John 11:45-57

Notice the dramatic irony of this passage. John is laying it on pretty thick.

Jesus raises a dead man to life and the religious leaders want to kill a

currently living man (Jesus) because they are afraid. Yet even our scared,

foolish, wicked plans God will turn into salvation. Jesus was not afraid of the

religious leaders or even of death. Instead Jesus gives forgiveness, grace and

love. The love and grace of God cannot be stopped by illness, evil or even

death. During this time of fear, anxiety, and isolation do not be afraid. Jesus

has already won the victory. He is with us and will care for us. His death has

set us free to give forgiveness, grace and love just like him. In safe and

healthy ways, reach out to those in need and share God’s grace.