Day 39: For the greater good
24 March, Day 39: John 11:45-56
I've a classmate from college who's released a book recently and she's always been sort of well, different. Eccentric. Is the right word. But, she's clever, smart and high achieving. She's done way better than most of her classmates, but somehow her words and behaviour (even now) are perceived as 'odd' sometimes. She's always been a subject of silent mockery, people have made fun of her, and even now when she's going about doing her thing. I know for a fact that there are people who resent it. I mean, "how can that weird girl do so well in life?" is an underlying murmur. I know it's horrible, but I too have been guilty of thinking such thoughts, even when I know it's terrible to think that way.
We don't realize the many "lesser" forms of envy and jealousy takeover in our regular lives. In the way we judge others, in the way we disapprove of others, in the way that it bothers us that other people are doing well for themselves, in the way that it makes us feel left out.
Today's verse is from John 11:45-56.
Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing,
nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish."
He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
Thoughts:
Threatened by the growing popularity of Jesus, the chief priests of the temple gather to discuss what can be done about this 'menace'. They wanted to bring him down as they felt that their 'temple and nation' would collapse otherwise.
Caiaphas's words above are prophetic; about to come true. That in Jesus dying, a whole lot of people would be saved. He was justifying their need to kill Jesus out by saying that it was for the good of their people and their community.
But the reality is that the truth didn't matter to them, themselves did. They didn't want to be dethroned as leaders. They were too attached their position, their authority and power over the people, to even consider Jesus's teachings.
There are times when you're affected so much by something that you want to eliminate it altogether. Don't think this is the solution? It takes away from the real problem, that it bothers you in the first place! (Unless you're talking about a mosquito or fly :/)
Takeaway: Don't let envy/jealous feelings prevent you from seeing the goodness in others and don't take any active part in bringing them down by your thoughts or actions.
I've a classmate from college who's released a book recently and she's always been sort of well, different. Eccentric. Is the right word. But, she's clever, smart and high achieving. She's done way better than most of her classmates, but somehow her words and behaviour (even now) are perceived as 'odd' sometimes. She's always been a subject of silent mockery, people have made fun of her, and even now when she's going about doing her thing. I know for a fact that there are people who resent it. I mean, "how can that weird girl do so well in life?" is an underlying murmur. I know it's horrible, but I too have been guilty of thinking such thoughts, even when I know it's terrible to think that way.
We don't realize the many "lesser" forms of envy and jealousy takeover in our regular lives. In the way we judge others, in the way we disapprove of others, in the way that it bothers us that other people are doing well for themselves, in the way that it makes us feel left out.
Today's verse is from John 11:45-56.
Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing,
nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish."
He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
Thoughts:
Threatened by the growing popularity of Jesus, the chief priests of the temple gather to discuss what can be done about this 'menace'. They wanted to bring him down as they felt that their 'temple and nation' would collapse otherwise.
Caiaphas's words above are prophetic; about to come true. That in Jesus dying, a whole lot of people would be saved. He was justifying their need to kill Jesus out by saying that it was for the good of their people and their community.
But the reality is that the truth didn't matter to them, themselves did. They didn't want to be dethroned as leaders. They were too attached their position, their authority and power over the people, to even consider Jesus's teachings.
There are times when you're affected so much by something that you want to eliminate it altogether. Don't think this is the solution? It takes away from the real problem, that it bothers you in the first place! (Unless you're talking about a mosquito or fly :/)
Takeaway: Don't let envy/jealous feelings prevent you from seeing the goodness in others and don't take any active part in bringing them down by your thoughts or actions.
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