Day: October 24, 2023

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

With apostate Israel’s religious leaders scheming to kill Him (John 11:45-53), for some weeks or maybe a few months, the Lord Jesus has to hide out in the wilderness north of Jerusalem so as to postpone His imminent death until it fits the calendar in Daniel 9:24-26.

John chapter 11: “[54] Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. [55] And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. [56] Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? [57] Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take [arrest] him.”

As chapter 12 opens, preparations for the Passover are still underway. It is mid-April, springtime, and perhaps as many as a million Jews have gathered in Jerusalem from foreign lands. Observe: “[9] Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. [10] But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; [11] Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.” The fact of verse 11 is particularly troubling to unbelieving Israel’s religious leaders. How many “church members” they have lost because Jesus brought Lazarus back to life! The chief priests are Sadducees—resurrection deniers (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8)—so dead Lazarus now alive is especially embarrassing to them! Look at all the people believing on Jesus Christ because of Lazarus! These chief priests are losing influence!

In today’s Scripture, these religious leaders become even more distraught….