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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘As you know, the Passover is in two days—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” The chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted against Jesus in some sly way and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said “or there may be a riot among the people.’” Matthew 26:1-5 (NIV)
Jesus has just spoken to his disciples about the end times to come. Here, He reminds them of the upcoming Passover. But that’s not all he shares; He tells them He will be seized and given to the authorities to be crucified.
What could have gone through the disciple’s minds? What emotions, what thoughts?
Some of these followers might have felt intense sorrow. “Oh, no! It can’t be.” These men may have felt foolish. They had left their jobs and their families to follow Him. “Will my family accept my returning to them?” Others may have experienced fear. “If they do this to the Master what would they do to us?”
The chief priests chose to meet in a clandestine meeting to scheme ways to kill Jesus. However, they chose to wait until after the Passover festival, expressing fear of causing a riot among the people.
The disciples became uneasy about the words they heard the Master speak. The religious authorities chose to plot to kill Him. They were fearful how the people would react to the event.
Had you and I been one of Christ’s disciples, what would we have thought when we heard these words? Had you or I been one of the chief priests, what would we have done or said to “remedy the problem at hand?”
The chief priests waited for a scape- goat to come along and do their dirty work for them. When Judas returned to them and tried to give back the money, they denied any part in the plot that led to Jesus’ crucifixion.
They must have thought it was all over, but it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteA lot of church celebrate Passover these days. Pretty interesting how times change.
Sandi: It is nice of you to stop in,again. Our church (United Methodist) has had Seder Meals in the past. I enjoy hearing the meaning of the different foods and how it can apply to us. A sister church has invited some of us to attend theirs this year.
DeleteI've often wondered what the disciples might be thinking in different situations. It's an interesting perspective with which to look at things. Appreciate you highlighting this for us, Cecelia. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Thank you for your warm comment. I also often wondered what the disciples thought. Blessings.
DeleteI know the disciples must have been very confused at this turn of events...certainly not what they were expecting. It certainly put them into a quandary...and some into denial (Peter). Thankfully, that ISN'T the end of the story! Praise God!!
ReplyDeletePam: I believe God understood their quandary and allowed them to go through their time of confusion, grief, and uncertainty. But, the end of the story has yet to be written.
DeleteWhen I'm tempted to criticize the disciples, I ask myself how I might have responded were I in their shoes. I may not have done as well as they did!
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