Faith Footsteps: Twelfth Episode
Fear causes many things to happen in your mind: none are good. You open yourself up to hopelessness, maybe conspiracy theories, but definitely believing the deception of the enemy. The Jewish leaders experienced fear as they observed Jesus’ signs and wonders proving He was the Messiah, consequently, fear drove them to believe lies instead of truth.
John 11:47-48 is a provocative question of the Pharisees, “What are we to do?” They needed a plan to stop This Man and His signs … why? They feared everyone would believe in Jesus and the Romans would take away their Temple, financial support, position in the community, authority, and much more. Jesus threatened their whole lifestyle because they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
How many people today continue to fear this loss of self-focus for a new God-focus? They may think the same way as the Pharisees; faith means loss of doing whatever I want, whenever I want. The interesting thing about faith is that Jesus changes our ‘wants’; His exchange brings true peace, joy, and love unlike anything we’ve experienced from the world.
As we enter the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, John 12, many believe in Him, Jews and Gentiles, therefore, the religious leaders needed to formulate a plan to rid them of that threat: arrest and death, that would do it.
Amidst the devious plan Jesus would not be circumvented; He would finish His assignment knowing there was a traitor in their company.
“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate My bread has lifted his heel against Me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am He.” John 13:18-19
Jesus was, and remains today, all about faith and believing. He desires our hearts to be fully confident in Him and our life to express that certainty.
Peter was no different than us but Jesus went before Him:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
That prophecy expressed Jesus’ desire for our faith to remain strong as well but also when we fall, as Peter did, we repent or turn again and strengthen others. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, our power-source, means we can draw from Him in times of weakness; when your footsteps are at a crossroad call on Him for direction.
God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet He also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, His holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. Romans 8:27 TPT
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