The Plot Thickens

Assassinations … well, they’re as old as time. T’was jealousy that drove Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, to murder his brother, Abel. Okay, so why then did the Jewish religious leaders plot Jesus’ assassination … and why would it matter to you and me, here and now?

Certainly, jealousy and envy were key drivers The crowds flocked to Jesus (and therefore, by definition, away from the religious leaders) because of His astounding miracles and powerful preaching. He threatened their authority and with the instability He was causing, they were afraid of a brutal crackdown by the occupying Romans. And so the die was cast:

John 11:49-53 One of the men there was Caiaphas. He was the high priest that year. He said, “You people know nothing! It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed. But you don’t realise this.” Caiaphas did not think of this himself. As that year’s high priest, he was really prophesying that Jesus would die for the Jewish people. Yes, he would die for the Jewish people. But he would also die for God’s other children scattered all over the world. He would die to bring them all together and make them one people. That day the Jewish leaders began planning to kill Jesus.

Why does it matter to you and me? Because even though evil men plotted the assassination of the Son of God, it was always God’s plan for it to happen. He died for you and for me, to pay the price of our sin that God’s justice demanded. That’s good news. Very good news.

Because … that’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.