IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Date: May. 9, 2024

Passage

John 11:45-57 (ESV)

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:45-46

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

False news, misinformation, and partisan politics cast a shadow on objectivity and polarize our society. It was no different in Jesus' day. Those in power could dictate what was right and wrong while those who thought differently were labeled as heretics and outcasts. Sometimes, it seems like our life is at stake for what we believe. It may be easier just to agree with others, to turn in our consciences, and to judge and condemn those who think differently.

Jesus stood up for and loved those who had no right to speak up, who lived in the shadows of society. He raised the dead to life. When people believed in him, a new life was being born, only it seemed to threaten those in power. Caiaphas, the high priest, determined that Jesus must be put to death to save their people—and their own power and influence. While his motive may not have been pure, the words spoke true to what Jesus was trying to accomplish.

Being a marked man was not easy for Jesus. But he did not shrink into oblivion. In God's time, Jesus would triumph, not through political power, but through death and resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, you loved us enough to die for us. Give me courage to live with resurrection faith.

One Word: Believe in Jesus

Daily Bread

Joseph Before Pharaoh

Genesis 41:1-36

Key Verse: 41:28

It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

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