Why Do You Seek to Kill Me?
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Why Do You Seek to Kill Me?
We’ve probably all heard about a confrontation in which someone would bitterly snarl, “I hate you! I wish you were dead!”
It is most sad when shouted at someone trying to do good. That’s how it was for Jesus. There He was — God Almighty, lovingly coming down to save us from our sins. But, not everyone can find it in his heart to love a newborn babe. An evil hatred was in the heart of King Herod, who was afraid Jesus would overtake his throne. Herod tried to trick the wise men into revealing where they found Jesus, but God warned them in a dream to not return to Herod.
In Matthew 2:16 Herod’s evil hatred took action on all the innocent,
Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi.
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had already escaped to Egypt. But, that was not the end of hatred expressed towards Jesus. Others also hated what was good and righteous in all aspects. When Jesus carried out His ministry of preaching the gospel and healing, the religious leaders quickly bristled up with hatred and jealousy.
They criticized Jesus’ acts of love on the Sabbath day, claiming He was breaking the Sabbath Law. They would try to trap Him with words, claiming He was not preaching rightly. Behind Jesus’ back they were making plans to kill Him without looking guilty in the eyes of the public. Fully aware of all that, Jesus openly confronted them in John 7:19,
Why do you seek to kill Me?
Although they tried to deny that, the public was becoming aware of the evil intents of the religious leaders.
How would any loving person feel upon hearing, “I hate you! I wish you were dead!”?
The sadness of loving someone who hates in return is a most heart-rending experience. Jesus has been experiencing it day after day, year after year, since the beginning of time. God has loved us all with a most tender and heart-felt love. But, people don’t want to be beholden to God for all the blessings they receive every day of their lives. In deep sadness, Jesus said in Matthew 23:37,
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”
In spite of being hated, Jesus continues to love us — even when being crucified. We don’t deserve such love. If there is any humanity left within us, we should turn in repentance to the Lord who loves us. Then He could create within us clean hearts and right spirits. Then we could have the peace of knowing God’s love.
Rejoicing in God’s love, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, open up our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds, so that we will know You in the right way and be at peace in Your love.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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