Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 12:1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
We don’t know how much time transpired between the miracle and Jesus’ return to Bethany after meeting with His disciples in Ephraim. It was a 14 1/2 mile trek and He timed His arrival to six days before Passover. I can’t help but see this as another expression of love for the family. It makes sense that He wanted to check on them following the exciting event. From what is about to occur, we also can deduce that the Father was setting the stage for another significant display of love and honor toward His Son. So it is with us today as we live to love with Jesus. God is setting the stage for us to love and honor Him.

John 11:57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it so that they might seize Him.
The dragnet tightened. Their evil scheme was in motion. They were determined to seize and eliminate Him. We should be amazed at the wisdom and glory of God to allow men to scheme and carry out evil against His anointed as the means by which He overcomes evil, sin, and death. In the end times, it will be the same with His people. Evil men will be allowed to carry out their schemes against His Holy ones, but they will display God’s wisdom and glory as they trust in Him and lay down their lives in love for Christ and others. Jesus will prepare us for this time as He prepared Himself. Abide in Him today.

John 11:56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?"
Imagine the scene. Men straining their necks, searching the crowd for Jesus. They were wondering what He would do. Have you ever wondered what Jesus would do? Jesus did eventually come, but not when they expected it nor how they expected it. That’s often the case in our lives. We look for Him in the natural, reasonable ways, but His ways are not ours. Jesus always moves in a redemptive, God-glorifying path. Look for Him there today.

John 11:55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves.
John lets us know the historical context surrounding the Passover celebration. Jerusalem’s population swelled with committed worshippers preparing for Passover. John implied that Jesus was expected to show up and that He would be easy to find. But Jesus didn’t need to purify Himself. He was perfectly pure. He was the Spotless Passover lamb. Remember the first Passover in Egypt? A lamb was slain so the death angel would pass over the home of the Hebrews. All who believe in Jesus will never die. His blood was shed that we might live to love with Him. Hallelujah!

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?