Afraid to deal with Jesus themselves, the leaders resort to Plan B.
The Gospel of John: John 7.25-36
Read and meditate on John 7.32.
Oh, how courageous these religious leaders are! They wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Jesus, but they’ll send the sheriff after Him. Wait till you see how the power of God works on them.
32And still,
the people argued about Him. So when
the Pharisees and priests heard this, they sent
some officers to take Him.
– John 7.32
Reflect
1. Let’s not miss the fact that when Jesus is doing good and teaching, hubbub arises all around. Why is there so little hubbub about Jesus in our day? Complete this prayer: Make me a faithful witness, Lord, and let me encourage all my fellow believers to…
2. The powers-that-be were not happy about all this hubbub swirling around the works and claims of Jesus. But they would not dare lay a hand on Him. So they sic the dogs on Jesus instead. Tell me again why these people were regarded as leaders? Lord, why do we follow people who lack courage, and whose only convictions are for their own advancement and aggrandizement? Give us leaders, Lord, who…
3. When Jesus is “in the air,” so to speak, people must respond. Meditate on Acts 17.32-34. What kinds of responses should we expect as we stir up the air and unsettle people with the Good News of Jesus? Have we seen these responses thus far in John’s gospel? Are you prepared to deal with each of these responses? Lord, when You are with me, I don’t have to worry. All I’m called to do is…
4. The difference between the religious leaders, who would not lay a hand on Jesus, and the Roman temple guard, was that the latter could use force and violence to take Jesus. This is sometimes a ploy of those who are powerless to stop the Gospel. If they can’t persuade people, or aren’t able to shut us up in other ways, they might resort to bullying, or worse. How should we expect to encounter this reaction in our day? Lord, what am I afraid of when it comes to sharing Jesus? Help me to overcome…
5. Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many throughout the centuries have tried to stifle all teaching and mention of the Name of Jesus. What are some ways we see this happening in our day? Should we expect them to prevail in their schemes? Explain. Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.
Summary
“Why, he says, are you eager to arrest me, and why do you try to do something that is not in your power? Just wait a little bit, and I will give myself over to you. Indeed, after my death, I go to my Father, and by directing myself to him, I will certainly withdraw from you. And I will be exalted over you so that, even though you look for me, you may not find me. And even though you want to, you cannot come to where I am because I will be exalted over you in glory and honor. But the Jews did not understand a single word of this. And this is not surprising, because not even the disciples, as we have already demonstrated many times, could understand the words that were said at that time. At the end they learned these things from the facts.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)
The powers of this world – as well as those unseen powers of darkness – are powerless to stop the progress of the Gospel and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Light of Christ has shone in the world, and the darkness cannot overcome it (1 Jn. 2.8). The Kingdom of Light will increase as the Lord’s faithful witnesses stir up the air with the Name of Jesus (Is. 9.6, 7). How will you stir up the air of your Personal Mission Field today?
Closing Prayer
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth
Shall eat and worship;
All those who go down to the dust
Shall bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep himself alive.
A posterity shall serve Him.
It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,
That He has done this.
Psalm 22.27-31
Psalm 22.23-28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the Lord, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.
For He has not despised the anguish of our King,
Nor from Him hid His eyes, Who knew such suffering.
Let praise arise from all who love and serve the Ruler of the skies!
The suff’ring King shall eat and praise with us the Lord.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!
All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King! His sov’reign rule on high now we His people sing!
T. M. Moore
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