Bible in 90, Day 77: The unwitting prophet

John 16 – Acts 6

image courtesy of bdopudja at stock.xchng

So there’s some unexpected prophets in the Bible.  Balaam’s donkey, Balaam himself  (Numbers 22), Saul (1 Samuel 10), and today’s subject, Caiaphas (John 18).  Now in the case of the first three, it was clear that they were prophesying, they just weren’t expecting it when it came.  Caiaphas’ situation is a little different.

In John 11:49-53, Caiaphas unwittingly made a prophecy about Jesus’ death.  He proclaimed, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”  Now, what he meant was that they should kill Jesus so that He didn’t stir up a revolt which would bring down the wrath of the Romans.  As usual, the leaders were trying to preserve their position and power.  John reveals to us, however, that since he was the high priest that year, Caiaphas’ words were actually from God.  Not only did God use a man who didn’t realize he was about to prophecy, but know one even perceived the double meaning at the time and so none recognized the prophecy at all!  The true meaning of Caiaphas’ statement was the Jesus would truly die for the people, and not only the Jews but God’s elect people all over the world.  He would not die as a political sacrifice to maintain the status quo, he would die as the ultimate sacrifice for sin to restore the relationship between God and man!

In John 18, the apostle reminds us about this unwitting prophecy by Caiaphas in the midst of Jesus’ trials by the Jewish leaders.  In the chapters we read today, we see the fulfillment of this odd prophecy.  Just as Caiaphas had said, Jesus died for the people.  He took the penalty for all our sin.

Let’s understand that sometimes God can override even the meaning of our words to show His glory.  Let’s never forget Jesus’ death for the people.

originally at Words of Reason

Bible in 90, Day 76: His time

John 6-15

image courtesy of sibaudio at stock.xchng

The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.

I guess the first time I heard this was in Josh Harris’s I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It’s true of sex, it’s true of just about anything in the Christian life.  There are some things that are good, but only in a certain context.  Fire is wonderful.  Put it in a fireplace, and it can heat your home, cook your food, and roast your marshmallows.  Put it on your couch and it’s not so wonderful!

Jesus knew this.  He was constantly speaking of His appointed time, and the apostle John mentions it frequently as well, especially in today’s reading (John 7:1-9, 7:30, 8:19-20, 12:23-37, 13:1).  He stayed home from a feast because it was not yet time for Him to reveal Himself to the world.  Crowds of people couldn’t seize Him because His time had not yet come to be given over to the authorities.  Eventually, His time did come, and knowing this, He willing submitted to all that the authorities did to Him.

Jesus had a clear view of God’s plan and timing.  Because of this, He knew exactly what to spend His time on.  No moment of Jesus’ life was wasted, even if it appeared that way to those around Him.  There was an appointed time for the fulfillment of the prophecies about Jesus’ being betrayed, abused by the Jewish leaders, and finally killed.  He knew this, and walked in confidence that nothing could happen to Him before this time.

Jerry Falwell used to say that God’s man in the center of God’s plan is invincible until He’s done with him.  If we are doing what God has called us to do, and are walking in obedience to Him, then nothing can touch us to harm us unless it is part of God’s plan and will for us.  Jesus knew this and lived in light of this.

Let’s remember that God has a plan for us.  Let’s live confidently, expressing bold obedience to God, knowing that we’re invincible until He calls us home.

originally at Words of Reason