Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after Laetare Sunday

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. John 11:45-57 (NKJV)
 
11:45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
 
49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
 
53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
 
55 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
 
Devotion
 
Our opening verse today indicates that perhaps some who had been opposed to Jesus now came to believe, but it is also clear that there are still those who perceive Jesus as a threat or enemy of the existing religious leadership. This sad situation continues to this very day within the fellowships of heterodox church bodies, where likewise, men’s traditions often overrule Scripture and God.
 
The Pharisees were a legalistic and separatistic group who strictly, but often hypocritically, sought to keep the law of Moses and the unwritten tradition of the elders. The Sadducees were more worldly and politically minded, and were theologically unorthodox—among other things, denying the resurrection, angels, and spirits. It is hard to miss the similarity between these two groups and what in our day is labeled as “conservative and liberal” or “left and right.” But they set their differences aside to unite against who they perceive as their common enemy: Jesus (God).
 
Verses 51 and 52 declare God uses Caiaphas as His prophet to proclaim Jesus’ death as the true Lamb of God to atone for the sins of the world and the redemption of those who believe. Jesus withdrew because He was not to die before His time, but He would not act imprudently. Knowing the attitude of His opponents, He withdrew. He would die for others, but in His time and place, not that of His enemies.
 
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
 
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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