John 12:9-11
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
“O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Nope. not Shakespeare. It is from Sir Walter Scott. It is especially true when one little lie leads to other and bigger lies that cover the first one. The concept takes a darker turn when one hates another so much that murder comes to mind. Soon enough, more murders are needed to placate the hatred. British murder mysteries make much hay of this fact. The chief priests fell right into Satan’s trap. Their deceitful hearts first hated, then turned to murdering the Son of God, then those who followed him.
This is true, not only of people but of whole societies. We see it in America, which was founded as a Christian nation but, forgetting their roots, became indifferent to Christianity. Later, they forgot God altogether and are now exhibiting anti-Christian tendencies. Whether the nation’s deceitful heart leads to murder of Christians remains to be seen but we can see murder everywhere now, in schools, in pregnancy clinics, and in homes all across America. When Jesus is there, those who hate him, hate his followers too but we who follow him are called to worship him and pray for his haters.
Dear Lord, thank you that you have come to die at the hands of those who hate you. May we love them, that they may believe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.