Daily Reading: John 18
Scripture Focus: It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (John 18:14)
Devotional Thought: My young children often say things that are truer than they know, and I find myself asking, "How did they know that?" My dad chalks it up to superior genes - received of course from their grandfather!
When Jesus was arrested, he was taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Caiaphas had once said something truer than he knew: “It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.” John 11, records this conversation between the Jewish religious council. “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 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” (John 11:47-48). Caiaphas responded, “You know nothing at all. 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,” (v. 49). Caiaphas predicted that Jesus would be killed to save the Jewish people from the Romans.
What Caiaphas meant for evil, however, God turned into a glorious prophecy. Jesus was indeed the one man that would die for the people. Not to save them from the Romans, but to save them from themselves. To save them from their sin, their evil desires, their self-righteousness, even the guilt of carrying out this murderous plan against God’s only Son. He does the same for all the undeserving who call upon the name of the Lord! That, my friends, is truer than we know!
Jenny
Prayer: What man meant for harm, you meant for good. Lord, we are so grateful that you are Sovereign over the sorrows of this life, that even the darkest of circumstances are a part of your unfolding plan for us; a plan to prosper and not harm us, a plan to give us hope and a future. Thank you that through it all, we have a Savior who loves us and whom we can trust. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 37.34-40
34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
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