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.”herefore 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.”
-----------
First, a little background on the verse above. Many people had just witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. He was dead in a tomb for four whole days. After seeing this, the Pharisees called a meeting. They began to talk about this most recent miracle, contemplating what they should do about this Jesus who was really clashing with their way of life. Jesus is raising people from the dead, and here they are contemplating ways to live contrary to Him, and even to kill Him (as would eventually be the case as Jesus goes to the cross to die).
Pharisaical disbelief knows the truth, and rejects it. It should go without saying to not be like that. Do you find that you recognize the works Jesus did and in your heart of hearts believe His works to be true, but deny Him? In fact, you even find that at times you have fought against Him and plotted to take Him down? Does Jesus crimp your style? Do you think that believing in Him would be inconvenient, cumbersome, or too contrary to your current way of life? If you know in your heart that the works He did were true, you should really only give yourself one option. If His Words stir your soul then you know what to do. The truth is also that it can't end well for you if you don't. Who can fight against God and come out ahead in the end? Nobody.
To not believe when you are faced with the truth, know the truth, yet choosing to not have the truth set you free. The audacity of the pharisaical heart. There is no heart more foolish, or dangerous.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? -Mark 8:36
No comments:
Post a Comment