John 11:47-57
When the Pharisees heard about Jesus raising the dead, they got together to discuss what they should do about His influence over the people. They mention the many signs He performs, but they do not believe He is the Christ. They also were concerned about the Romans. If the Jews look to Jesus as king, then they will remove the Jewish religion and nation. Less than forty years after Jesus was crucified and Christianity spreads, the Romans indeed destroy the temple and the holy city. The Jews are scattered among the nations, just as prophesied.
Caiaphas was the high priest that year. Caiaphas had prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but for children of God everywhere. He did not speak this on his own authority, but by the Spirit of God. God knew most of the religious leaders were missing it, but God didn’t throw them out. If their hearts were open, God would still use them, like Caiaphas. Caiaphas knew Jesus would die, but we don’t know what else he knew; however, from that day forward, they plotted to put Jesus to death.
It was Passover, and the Jewish men were required to go to Jerusalem for the feast. The religious Jews had put out the word that if anyone saw Him, they were to report Jesus’ location to them.
This is the third recorded Passover Jesus attended since His ministry started, supporting the idea that His ministry was at least 3 years long.
Jesus was willingly laying His life down. He was not afraid to come into Jerusalem, the city of peace. It was the city where the Prince of peace would give up His life for our peace, our wholeness, and our salvation!
1 Chronicles 28-29
In these last two chapters of 1 Chronicles, we read about David’s instruction to Solomon to build the temple and to the people to fund it. Then David gives praise to God as preparations are made and people choose to follow this last heartfelt vision to build God a house. At the end of chapter 29, Solomon is anointed king, and David’s reign comes to a close.
Each generation is to build on the other. Together, the generations make up one family, one people. When we grasp this concept, we work together and we put emphasis on raising the next generation.
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