The Gospel of John: John 11.38-48

Read and meditate on John 11.47, 48.
The deliberations of the Jewish leaders over the “Jesus situation” demonstrate the powerful effects of sin, blinding people to the goodness of God, and giving primacy to the concerns of self.

                       ⁴⁷Then the Pharisees and priests
convened a council, saying, “What then shall
we do? This Man works many signs, ⁴⁸and all
the people will believe in Him if we
leave Him alone like this. Then you will see,
the Romans will bring shame upon our face,
and take from us our nation and our place.”

- John 11.47, 48

Reflect
1.  Misery loves company. So do anger and self-interest. The meeting described here was not an informal gathering, but called session of the Jewish council. The prime movers here were seeking an official action. Sin often likes to wrap itself in the garb of officialdom. Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, sinful people can make even a good form of government serve sinful purposes. We’ve seen this in our own country as…

2.  Suppose you had been in attendance at this meeting. Nicodemus undoubtedly was, and perhaps others who shared his view of Jesus. When the question was put in verse 47, what would you have been thinking? How might you have responded at that point, before verse 48? What risk would that have involved (cf. Jn. 7.50-52)? Do you face any such situations as you work your Personal Mission Field? How can you prepare for these? Give me grace and wisdom, Lord, so that when others oppose you, I…

3.  The religious leaders in Jerusalem were not stupid. They had been keeping an eye on Jesus, and they saw the way matters were tending. They knew that if they allowed Him to continue His ministry unhindered, “everyone” ultimately would believe in Him. They offered two reasons for why this would have been unacceptable, the first a political reason. What was it? Is there a lesson here – or at least a caveat – about the relationship between political power and faith in Jesus? Explain. We do not trust in politicians or government, Lord, but we do not ignore them, either, because…

4.  The second reason why they believed they needed to stop Jesus was mostly personal, although they robed it in nationalistic terms. Is Jesus a threat to people’s perceived sense of status, privilege, or wellbeing? Is this threat justifiable? Lord, You gave up privileges and primacy of place to come to earth for our salvation. Help me, as I follow You, to…

5.  Sin can be powerfully blinding, trapping people in self-interest and the status quo, and keeping them from seeing through to the abundant good following Jesus can bring. What can you learn from this situation to help you in bearing witness to Jesus? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Notice both the audacity and the blindness of their evil. It was audacious because they had already witnessed the fact that he had performed many signs, and yet they thought they could plot against him—as if he could do nothing when they plotted against him. On the other hand, they were no less blind either because it makes more sense to be on the side of someone who performs such miracles than [to be a part of] the plot of those who do not want to allow him to live. Or perhaps they thought that he performed signs that were not the result of divine power and that this was why he could not do all things or deliver himself from their plot. They resolved, therefore, not to let him live, thinking that they would place an impediment in the way of those who believed in him and also prevent the Romans from taking away their place and nation.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

No wonder God commands His people to hate sin (Ps. 97.10). What does it look like when believers hate sin? When you hate sin?

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 97.1-12

Psalm 97 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice;
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

His just and righteous throne‘mid clouds and darkness stands;
His fiery wrath consumes His foes in every land.
Refrain

Earth trembles at the sightof Jesus’ holy face;
The mountains melt before His might and praise His grace.
Refrain

The heav’ns above declareHis glorious righteousness;
And tribes and peoples everywhere His Name confess.
Refrain

While Zion gladly sings,let all be brought to shame
Who to vain idols worship bring and scorn His Name.
Refrain

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
Refrain
           
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.