July 31 Fear or Hope?

Luke 22:1-2 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
 
A different way to describe the authorities’ actions is they “were plotting how to kill Jesus.”  (NLT) We have seen in our Luke lessons why these teachers and priests would consider this horrible act. Pride ruled their lives. Love of money, power and prestige shaped their cold, callous hearts. Self-focus easily binds our souls to cast away those who dare to warm and soften us. Sin’s trappings are deadly bonds. Psalms 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
    Such is the authorities’ motivation to kill Jesus. But why were the priests and teachers afraid of the people? After all, if one disobeyed their rules, he could be separated from temple worship. They held the power. Did they not have the power to do with Jesus as they pleased?
    They did. But then they realized they didn’t. Something bigger than their rules and structures was building in Judea and Jerusalem. The Jews’ and even Gentiles’ expressed a growing passion for Jesus’ soul-building teachings and his life-transforming healings. Huge crowds came early to hear and see the Maser at work. To further publicly accuse and arrest Jesus could cause a general riot. In Jesus, the Jews were beginning to see the light of hope break through centuries of storms. When there is a glimmer of hope, the light is not easily darkened. “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)
    Fear for themselves – not love, compassion, mercy, kindness, or gentleness for the people – motivated the authorities’ plots and schemes. How sad are the lives of all who fear Jesus. How blessed are the lives all who hope in Jesus.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray I, “Show proper respect to everyone: I love the brotherhood of believers, I fear God, and I honor the king. (from 1 Peter 2:17) Amen.