Conspiracy

Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

The more I have read this verse the more I am astounded by it. It is the open blatant expression of religious conspiracy. A conspiracy in which sometime political enemies participated because they had the same goal: destroy Jesus. The saddest meeting in human history...

The Herodians were the political supporters of Herod the Great and his descendants. You know the ones… they killed all children below 2 years old just to rid the world of the baby Jesus. They were willing to do anything to keep political power. The Pharisees... you know them too, they were also willing to do anything to keep religious/political power.

In every country today there are those who, like them, will do anything to keep power. And the missionaries of Jesus are working in those countries.

This Greek word translated “counsel” in the Gospels tracks the conspiracy to destroy the altogether lovely one, Jesus. The word culminates at the conspiracy to keep Jesus in the grave. Follow the trail: Mark 3:6, Matthew 12:14, 22:15, 27:1, Mark 15:1, Matthew 28:12. And… they believed they were right...

How many “counsels” will meet today to stop the ministry of Jesus? Will you pause now and pray for those who carry on the ministry of Jesus while in harms way? Missionaries who serve in Islamic countries. Missionaries serving in countries who are unfriendly to the Gospel of Christ. Missionaries who work among the tribes and in the regions beyond. These are amazing people who are worthy of our support and prayer. Know we have prayed for you today.

The devil's Despair, My Great Comfort

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

The devil was a brutish amateur when facing Jesus. It seems unimaginable that satan would seriously entertain the notion that Christ Jesus would kneel before him, especially after satan’s previous failures. When we sum up all three of the devil’s temptations they seem feeble and desperate.

After reading this verse again I’m tempted to ask, “Is that all the devil had to throw at Jesus?” He offered a fallen, sin ravaged world to the one who watched with Adam as the sun first rose over Eden. It was so awkward, predictable, empty. This face-off with Jesus must have been the most horrifying experience yet in satan's forced descent from Zion's holy hill to hell’s dark dungeon. Hope, for him, was all gone…

Even his demons when facing Jesus said, “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Mt 8:29 Jesus, satan, and all spirit beings know how this will all end. The only blind ones are people who roam the earth deluding themselves that there is no accountability for their deeds, no ultimate justice to try their imperfections, no need for full atonement and forgiveness in Christ. Even the devil knows better.

I gain great comfort from these verses. Just to know Jesus. Just to point to Him and tell others, “I’m following Him!” By His choice we are eternally and inseparably linked. His destiny is my destiny. I’m glad I have no part with His opponents. I am so thankful I am kept by grace in his everlasting love.

Devilish Credibility

Mark 1:34b and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

When I was a young pastor serving in a church staff position I was present during an open church conflict. It was a public meeting filled with rancor and harsh words. 

The person in the congregation who seemed to be putting the most wood on the fire was a man who was (and still is) known as a church troublemaker. He was always involved or near when there was trouble in the church. While he was raising his verbal ruckus the pastor interrupted him in an attempt to return the meeting to some semblance of Christian order. The antagonist turned from the man he was arguing with and said, “Preacher you’re a good man, but...” Before he could finish his sentence the pastor firmly responded, “I’m not interested in your opinion of me.” Oddly, the man remained quiet for the rest of the meeting, and the pastor was able to restore order.

After the meeting I asked this aged and experienced pastor about his response, and why it had such an effect on this man. He gave me some sage advice, “A complement, deserved or undeserved, carries the character and reputation of the person giving it. If that person is of bad character then accepting a public complement from him may, even ever so slightly, stain me, and can lend him some of my credibility.” He then said, “A tactful rebuke at an appropriate time insures a respectful distance between us. It also speaks volumes about my estimation of his behavior or character, which is probably why he got quiet. It also shows I am not easily influenced by complements.”

Jesus seemed to have been of the same mind. To have accepted the accolades and declarations of demons would have, in a sense, stained the Savior. It would have also made the demons look better, and narrowed the perceived distance between them. So the Savior firmly rebuked and silenced these evil creatures. The evidence of Jesus’ character and attributes was more visible in His authoritative command of the demons than anything they had to say.

We should learn from this too. If we are known as people of bad character then our praises of the Savior may stain Him in the eyes of the ones who really know us. Perhaps He may then decide to distance Himself…