The apostle John wrote how “the Jews' passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What do you think, that he will not come to the feast?”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifty-seven of his book John shared how the Jewish leaders declared concerning Jesus, “if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him” where we read:
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment,
that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.
The verse reads, “Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, ...” John began with the words, “now both the chief priests” which means “at that time even so and indeed the high priests” “and the Pharisees” or “and the men who were of the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “had given a commandment” which means “bestowed, granted, furnished and supplied an order, rule and precept”. John shared how the “high priests and members of the Pharisees” gave a rule to the Jewish people.
The verse goes on to say, “... that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.” John added the words, “that, if any man knew” which means “that whether any person whether male or female perceived, understood and discovered” “where he were” which means “he place or location of Jesus”, “he should show it” or “that person should disclose, declare, tell, make known and indicate where Jesus is”, “that they might take him” which means “so the religious leaders could catch, apprehend and lay hands on Jesus”. John shared how the “rule” given by the “religious leaders was if anyone “knew” where Jesus was located, they should tell them so they could apprehend Him.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how desperate these “religious leaders” were. They made a rule that commanded anyone who found Jesus or knew His location to tell them so they could “apprehend” Him. Jesus was clandestine at this time, and the “high priests and Pharisees” did not know where He was. They solicited by demand that people help them find Him because they wanted Him stopped from His ministry. God sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of every person who believes and trusts in Him, however, not everyone will. Though these “unbelieving religious leaders” were determined to “capture” Jesus and stop Him, they were actually only “pawns” in the grand plan of God's idea to save mankind. Those who are wise will yield to Jesus and not become as one of these religious leaders.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see John share how, “Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead,”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment