Proverbs 14:12.
“And one of them,
named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know
nothing at all, nor consider that it is EXPEDIENT for us, that one Man should
die for the people, and that the whole nation (the Jewish Nation) perish not.”
John 11:49-50.
Good morning, honourable
Christian! When you seek a course of
action in any given matter, you prayerfully examine your inner motives for
taking that action. You do well, beloved
Christian, you do very well. For
so-called ‘political’ or ‘religious’ expediency - as motivation for action - brings a sure
curse indeed. “…The curse causeless shall not come.” (Proverbs
26:2)
Dictionary Definition: Expedient - (adjective) suitable or appropriate;
profitable or convenient rather than fair or just; advisable; being a suitable
means to a desired end; something which serves to promote personal interest; a
contrivance for self-interest, or exclusive group-interest. (The Chambers
Dictionary p. 568)
Verse 46 in today’s Journey In John’s Gospel informs us
that ’…some of them went their ways
to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.’ The phrase ’…went their ways…’ could perhaps be
better interpreted as ’…returned to the Pharisees and
told them what things Jesus had done.’
The sense becomes much clearer
to us. These watchers were in fact spies
for the Pharisees and, therefore, returned to their religious masters to report
what Jesus was doing. The Devil has his
spies everywhere. Child of God,
beware! (Ephesians 6:10-20)
“For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood (mere human foes), but against principalities, against
powers (evil spiritual powers), against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Hear what the great Puritan,
William Gurnall (1616-1679) says in his wonderful book The Christian In Complete Armour:
(1V.) The Nature of Evil Spirits
(’spiritual wickedness’) The inherent
nature of the devils themselves, as well as the character of their works, is
included in the description, ’spiritual
wickedness’. A literal rendering of the passage reads, ’against the spirituals of wickedness’…the passage also refers not only to the spiritual
nature of devils but also - in fact, chiefly - to the nature and kind of sins
they perpetrate. These sins are the
apples of temptation which they most often use to poison the saints. Such sins are the ’spirituals of wickedness‘. Not gross, fleshy sins which
ignorant sinners, like swine, wallow in - but spiritual sins, which are much
more subtle and perhaps even more despicable.” (The Christian In Complete
Armour, Banner of Truth Trust, P.O. Box 621, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013,
U.S.A. p.186-187)
The Pharisees and their spies
were fervently engaged in such ’spiritual sins’ on that dark day in question. Under Satan’s power and dominion, "…from that day forth
they took counsel together for to put Him (Christ Jesus) to death.” (V.53) What
darker, or deadlier evil depths could mankind plumb? They conspired, as willing servants of Satan,
to put the Son of God to a cruel death.
There will, no doubt, be a special Hell reserved for such vile sinners.
See how subtle the evil
Caiaphas weaved his web of death - under a guise of political, religious, and
National expediency. Beware of
expediency!
“…It is expedient for
us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation (the
Jewish Nation) perish not.” (V.50)
Having established a spurious
National need for their expediency, they then put their evil plan into full
action: “Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment,
that, if any man knew where He (Jesus) were, he should shew it, that they might
take (arrest) Him.” (V.57)
How often do we Christian
societies today - in this 21st Century - hear politicians and
so-called religious leaders call for collective actions ’in the interests of National security’; or ’…in the public
interest…’? Sound familiar? I often wonder whose real interests are being
served.
In the light of what Gurnall
defines as ’…the spirituals of wickedness…’ perhaps we evangelical, Bible-believing, Christians
should question what is being proposed daily ’…in the public interest…’ by such religious
and political leaderships? Much of
it does not promote Godliness. And,
after all, we only get the religious and political leaders that we ourselves vote into
office!
Thought: It is one very foolish turkey that votes to
bring about an early Thanksgiving or Christmas season. Christian, get your armour on!
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