Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 11: 55-57

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Transcript

Gregg DeMey 0:07  

Good morning and Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Thursday, March 27 and this is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor at the church. It is the season of Lent as we journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem and the cross, and we have been diving deep into the Gospel of John chapter 11. Today's reading is from the final verses, 55 through 57.

Gregg DeMey  0:31  

"When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing. Before the Passover, they kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts, they asked one another, "what do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?" But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it, so that they might arrest him.

Gregg DeMey 1:01  

Jesus always knows exactly what he's doing. He knows the religious leaders are plotting against him and Jesus knows what God the Father is asking of him to do. And for a moment - even though he's in close proximity to Jerusalem at the time of the Passover, when there's a spring-break like surge in the population - Jesus can't be found. The people are wondering, "has he disappeared? What do you think? Is he coming to the festival at all?" Jesus knows exactly the right time for his passion to begin and to bitterly unfold. But Jesus is not a victim in this. He is still the one who confidently called out at a dead man's tomb, "Lazarus, come out!" But for the moment, he waits. No one is going to take Jesus' life from him. No, Jesus courageously and purposefully lays down his life.

Gregg DeMey  2:04  

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. In his own words (and in John chapter 10), Jesus says this: "I am the good shepherd, and the reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord, and I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father."

Gregg DeMey  2:33  

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, with courage and purpose, you came to Jerusalem before your passion, knowing exactly what lay ahead for you. Thank you for laying down your life for your flock. Help me as your follower to live, work and serve out of similar strength, courage and conviction today - the mighty power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that we are not victims in a sea of life's vicissitudes, but rather we are followers of yours and therefore can be strong and take heart in you - our great Victor and King. In your strong name we pray, Amen.