21-day challenge Day #11: John 11

Read: John 11

My Key Verse: John 11:51-52 "He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one."

My Reflections: How awesome is God! How amazing that he would put the truth right in the mouths of those who were responsible for Jesus' death.

Jesus did not come to end the time of the Jews as God's people. He came through the Jews and should have been welcomed and received and celebrated, yet the very ones with the most to gain could not see past their political positions and rejected their very Messiah.

Caiaphas was the high priest...the one person on earth supposedly closest to the God of Israel, but he was more like the ones described in Isaiah 29:13...but as unlikely as it might seem, God gave this man a prophesy about Jesus. Of course, through the hardness of his heart, he completely misinterprets the voice of God and uses it as an excuse to plot the death of the innocent Jesus, but nonetheless God put the truth in this man's mouth.

It reminds me in the OT when the pagan king hired the sorcerer, Balaam (remember the guy with the talking donkey) to curse the Israelites, but instead God intervenes and Balaam pronounces this huge blessing on Israel. That's funny...I don't care who you are!

My Prayer: In this, God, I see your sovereignty demonstrated. I see your hand controlling the nations...accomplishing your will through those who listen to you and even those who won't. I'm so glad to know that you hold my life in your hands. I'm so glad to say with Paul, "if God is for us, who can be against us." You are the creator, you are the Lord of all, you are mighty to save your people and to accomplish what you will. I pray that I will be one who listens to you every day and gladly submits myself to your will without twisting your word to suit my on agenda.