John 11:49-52
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 11:49-52 remembering that the religious authorities, of which Caiaphas is an important member, have already decided that Jesus must be killed.
John is very clear in this passage that Caiaphas, a prominent Sadducee and Jewish High Priest, was “led to prophecy” about the death of Jesus and its subsequent affects. This raises the question of how God works through people and whether or not they have any choice in the matter.
When God speaks, a response is always required. God’s words are full of the same creative energy that spoke the world into existence. Caiaphas heard God. That is obvious from the accuracy of his prophecy, but Caiaphas responded by holding fast to his previous ways of thinking. He had already decided that Jesus, despite the signs and wonders, was a threat to maintaining the security of the nation of Israel and the privileged place of its leaders. Caiaphas heard God, but he chose to mold God’s words to fit his own ideas rather than allowing God to transform his thinking and lead him to Truth.
Is it possible that there are beliefs, paradigms or other faulty ways of thinking that might be inhibiting the transformation God wants to work in your life?
Spend a moment discussing this with Jesus.
Read John 11:49-52 again focusing on the prophetic message given to Caiaphas by God.
Jesus didn’t come to earth simply to be an example. The main purpose of Jesus’ life and teaching wasn’t to leave us a written record of how to live. Jesus’ end game was to take on our guilt and shame and bear the ultimate consequence for our rebellion against God’s good and perfect ways.
By his innocent death, he opened the way for us to be gathered back to God.
Jesus is God’s Word made flesh and he is continuously speaking through his Spirit. We have a choice when we hear the voice of Jesus. We can allow him to transform our thinking and lead us to truth, or we can bend his words to fit what we already think and believe. We show that we are children of God, gathered by Jesus, when we choose to yield to him and follow him.
What are you hearing from Jesus lately?
How are you responding to what you’ve heard?
What is Jesus inviting you to do today as a result of this time of meditation?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
