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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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