A Mixed Response - Part 2
Rev. Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | June 13, 2024 | John 11:46-53
KEY VERSE:
So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs" John 11:47 (ESV)
MESSAGE:
It's intriguing how eager some people were to report about Jesus. In John 5:15, the man who was healed went to inform the Jews. Similarly, in John 11:46, some Jews reported to the Pharisees. Did they ever reflect on the miracles they witnessed?
In verse 47, the hastily called Council meeting focused solely on discussing Jesus' actions. This reveals a desperate attempt to handle a lost cause. They acknowledged Jesus’ many signs and the implications, yet their actions were driven by fear and self-interest.
Consider their previous failures:
In John 7:45-52, the officers failed to arrest Jesus, and Nicodemus dissented.
In John 7:53-8:11, their attempt to trap Jesus with the woman caught in adultery failed.
In John 8:59, they tried to stone Jesus but failed.
In John 10:39, another attempt to arrest Him was unsuccessful.
The rest of the passage shows a leadership struggling to protect their positions and privileges. This highlights the mixed responses to Jesus' miracles and teachings. Mixed responses to Jesus' miracles reveal the true motives of the heart.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
It is perplexing when leaders pursue lost causes for their own interests, dragging innocent followers with them. Yet, God's purposes are never derailed.
PRAYER:
Lord, help us learn from the mistakes of the chief priests and Pharisees. Guide us to check our motives and align them with Your will. Amen
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: PERFORMS ποιεῖ (poiei) is a verb in Greek which means "to do," "to make," "to perform," or "to accomplish." It denotes action and the carrying out of tasks or activities.
In John 11:47, the Greek verb "ποιεῖ" (poiei) highlights Jesus' continuous and active performance of miracles. The religious leaders are faced with the reality that Jesus is not just a teacher but one who actively demonstrates divine power through numerous signs. This verb underscores the ongoing nature of Jesus' miraculous works and their significant impact on the people and the authorities. Theologically, it emphasizes that Jesus' actions were deliberate manifestations of His divine authority, meant to reveal His identity and mission.
Reflections:
How do the continuous works of Jesus impact your understanding of His divine mission? Reflect on how recognizing Jesus' ongoing actions in your life and the world around you can strengthen your faith and influence your response to His call.
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