Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 11:54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.
Apparently Jesus knew of their plans and it wasn’t the Father’s timing so He avoided the conflict and spent time with His disciples. We can learn from this that there are times when we should avoid those whom we know cannot tolerate or handle the testimony of God in our lives. Love in this case stayed out of their path. It was best to love those who were yearning to learn and who responded to His love. He was making disciples. Who are we investing in who need to be loved by Him?

John 11:53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.
The Pharisees made their evil plans as God established their steps. John wants his readers to understand that God accomplished His purposes through evil men who thought they were in control. God was working toward His greatest display of love and glory in the death and resurrection of His son. In the affairs of men it looked like darkness was prevailing, but in reality and truth, the stage was being set for the greatest revelation of God in all the history of mankind. May this encourage us that every situation is an opportunity to trust God and love with Jesus.

John 11:52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
As the Pharisees are meeting to plot Jesus’ death, God is working to make all of His children throughout all of history into one nation for eternity. We are so limited in our view and judgment of the affairs of men. We know so little. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12). What a glorious day it will be when we see all of God’s wisdom and glory in the affairs of men. This verse should encourage us to love and trust God in everything that happens in our lives.

John 11:51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
God is in control of Caiaphas’ prophetic statement. God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven. He is working all things according to the counsel of His own will. This was true in this account as well as today in our lives. This gives us great confidence as we live to love with Jesus. We can rest assured that nothing occurs outside of His will and purpose to glorify Jesus in our lives.

John 11:49-50 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish."
Caiaphas got it but didn’t. He rightly recognized that Jesus’ death could be the means of salvation for the nation, but was totally blind to the salvation God would accomplish. That’s how Satan’s temptations work. Suggest that the evil planned is really good and advantageous. It tripped up Adam and Eve, and it worked with the Pharisees. Be on guard for a spirit that reasons it’s a good thing to harm people for a greater collective good. Also be amazed at the wisdom and knowledge of God who uses Satan’s lies to accomplish eternal redemption, reconciliation, and glorify His son.