Day 48: Missed It

Read: John 11:45-57

Church has been a key part of my life since I can remember. There was a period in my life where I went through the motions. I went to church, acted like a Christian should, but I didn’t exercise my faith. I barely listened to the pastor preaching, my bible stayed unopened, and my prayers were limited to the dinner table. Outside I seemed like I had everything together, but I had no personal relationship with Jesus. I believed in God, but I was missing it. I was missing Him. He was right in front of me and I just couldn’t see it. 

The stale faith I had aided an empty feeling in my heart. I was a spiteful, bitter, and angry.  I knew I was missing something. I tried to fill it with friends and relationships, but only when I surrendered my life to God did I finally find satisfaction in my heart. 

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in John 11. A lot of Jews who saw the miracle. Many believed, but some went to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were religious leaders who despised Jesus. The Pharisees were outraged by Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. They called a meeting to discuss what to do with Jesus. 

In verses 49-50 John writes, “Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” Little did Caiaphas know that he was actually prophesying about what was to come. Jesus was going to die for our sins. According to verses 51-52, “He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.”

Jesus was the awaited Messiah. As the high priest, Caiaphas knew the scriptures. He would have read the prophecies about the Messiah. But when Jesus actually came, He missed it. He lived a religious life, was highly respected, and seemed to follow God. But he was going through the motions and his heart has hardened to Jesus. The Savior of the world was right in front of him and he couldn’t see it. He lacked a relationship with Jesus and missed who Jesus actually was. He saw Jesus as a threat and missed out on being fulfilled with His love.

Are you missing the person of Jesus as you go through the motions of being a Christian? Seek Him out today. Be committed to a relationship with Him.