Have you ever had someone plot against you? Did they go through with it? Maybe it was something as simple as playing a practical joke, or as complex as misrepresenting you and eventually causing harm to you and/or your family. Maybe a spouse left you for someone else, or you were cheated out of a promotion; it could even be that someone you care about speaks horribly of you for no real reason at all. Maybe you played along and laughed off the situation, or possibly it is still causing distress to your soul years following the actual event.
In Matthew 26, we see the chief priests and elders plotting against Jesus. Interestingly enough they are holding off on their arrest until after the Passover Feast, fearing that those celebrating may riot against them.
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the [open] court of the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and consulted together in order to arrest Jesus by stratagem secretly and put Him to death. But they said, it must not be during the Feast, for fear that there will be a riot among the people.
~ Matthew 26:3-5 (AMP)
This passage starts with the word ‘THEN’, which causes us to consider the verses that precede this Scripture. Prior to this Jesus is on the Mount of Olives holding a private teaching session with His disciples. (Matthew 24:3) During this conversation Jesus explains the second coming, first discussing the last days and then explaining them within the form of several parables. Chapter 25 discloses the parable of the ten virgins and the master that gives talents to his servants. The chapter closes with a very well known passage discussing feeding the hungry, giving drink to those who are thirsty, and clothing the naked, explaining when we care for the least of those around us, we care for our Savior.
Chapter 26 opens stating when Jesus finished with His discourse (vs. 1), His lesson for the disciples, He closed by revealing “You know that the Passover is in two days–and the Son of Man will be delivered up treacherously to be crucified.” (vs. 2)
The very next thing we see in Scripture is the earlier passage claiming that at following this lesson the chief priests and elders gathered together to discuss the arrest of Jesus.
Here’s what I realized. First, Jesus knew He was going to be arrested and revealed it to His disciples. Second, the chief priests and the elders were not around to hear Jesus’ declaration; meaning they were somewhere else plotting on their own. Third, the priests realized that at that moment, during that season Jesus had favor with the Jewish people; for they had only just days before praised Him as their King. Finally, the priests were wise enough to know if they waited for the right moment, the right set of circumstances, the people who sang Jesus’ praises and reverenced Him just days before would stand by his arrest and subsequent crucifixion.
The priests and elders had a healthy fear of the children of Israel, their traditions, and the prophesies that surrounded their culture. They knew that once the Passover celebration was over, the Israelites would soon remember that they were under jurisdiction of the Roman Empire, and this so-called King of the Jews would not be delivering them from their circumstances. They knew they could turn these circumstances to their favor and arrest Jesus.
Has anyone ever told you that they had your back only to let you down when the going got tough? Maybe a co-worker agreed to support you, but when faced with the oppression of management, they succumbed to authority and left you out on the ledge by yourself. Perhaps someone agreed to testify on your behalf, but failed to show up in court. Has anyone sung your praises, only to later disclose all your faults?
The children of Israel were not guilty of anything anyone of us could have easily fallen pray to. Fear has the power to stop many people from doing any number of things.
Fear stopped the arrest of Jesus’ until more favorable circumstances presented themselves to the Roman Empire.
Fear stopped Peter from acknowledging he knew Jesus.
Fear stopped Judas from remaining faithful to Jesus.
Fear stopped the Israelites from believing in their foretold destiny.
But fear could not stop Jesus.
Jesus stilled shared the Passover feast with his disciples, even though in a few short hours His arrest would be imminent.
Jesus continued to patiently teach Peter and encourage him, even though he would betray him several times before morning.
Jesus showed Judas the same respect and love as He did with the other disciples, even though Judas would betray him soon.
Jesus loved all the children of Israel and begged forgiveness for their ignorance, since they did not know what they were doing.
Yes, the chief priests and elders held off on arresting Jesus because they were afraid of a potential riot. They held off on the arrest because they knew at that moment they did not have the power. Little did they realize that they never truly had the power, and that Jesus held it all.
Jesus was certain of His outcome and neither the Roman Empire nor fear ever had a hold on Him. He walked through the evil plots of the Roman Empire, the betrayals by friend and by a people, the denial by a close friend, and He showed each person respect, love, and encouragement. Further, in His last moments, as the evil plots would seemingly win, Jesus interceded on behalf of everyone declaring we did not understand what we were doing, and He took the blame for every wrong sin, every wrongdoing, for all of eternity.
So back to the original question, has anyone ever plotted against you?
How did you treat them?
Prayerfully we can all learn from the example of Jesus and can walk forward without fear “lov[ing] our enemies and pray[ing] for anyone who mistreats you.” (Matthew 5:44, CEV)
Okay. I stand convicted, and will be working on this myself. How about you?
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