The apostle John wrote how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and afterward, “many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifty-two of his book John shared how Caiaphas said, “and not for that nation only, but that he should gather together in one the children of God” where we read:
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one
the children of God that were scattered abroad.
The verse reads, “And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one ...” John began with the words, “and not for that nation only” which means “and not solely on behalf of the multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus alone, Israel”, “but that also he should gather together” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover that even so and indeed that one person would assemble and collect together” “in one” which means “into a single body” the following. John shared how the “one person” that should “die” on behalf of the nation of Israel would also do so to gather together into a single group the following people as well.
The verse continues, “... the children of God that were scattered abroad.” John added the words, “the children of God” which means “the offspring belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “that were scattered abroad” which means “who were dispersed and separated by distance”. John shared how the “one person” dying would “gather” God's offspring who were “dispersed” throughout the world.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how God's desire was to send His Son Jesus into the world to die upon the cross to pay for the sins of people all over the world. God wants His children, those who have put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus, to be gathered together and be a one single family. God loves people, and they needed a “Savior” to die for their sins so they could be in a personal relationship with Him. God is holy and righteous, and unholy people cannot exist with Him. Jesus lived a holy and righteous life so everyone who believes and trusts in Him will be made “righteous” through His work on the cross. Those who believe in Him will be gathered together by God and received into His Kingdom. Let all who read these words “believe” and be assembled.
Next time John shares, “from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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