Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 22:2 (New Living Translation)

2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

Those in positions of religious authority were figuring. What would they do?

First, these are good people in difficult positions. They put their lives at stake for their belief in Jehovah God. History records their self-less-ness on many occasions. They were responsible for how the people lived in relation to God.

Second, they were just plain wrong about Jesus. They did not connect what they knew of the old prophecies with what they saw right in front of them.

Third, you can be good people and just plain wrong at the same time. This is not either one thing or the other. This is both at the same time.

And one more—they were simply afraid. They decided it was best to kill Jesus. They were afraid of how the people would react to their well meaning, prayer filled, contemplated decision. The people might do all sorts of crazy things that would be good in the short term and horrible in the long term.

At this point I am supposed to tie all this together and make a statement that resolves all this conflict and fear. Sorry, I can’t do that today. Good, Godly people pray, meditate, listen to God, love one another, and make terrible mistakes. We are afraid of our family, friends, and fellow Christians. We are afraid of rejection. We try. We fail. We are covered by the Grace of God. We know that, but still, we fail and fear. Please God, help me in my unbelief.