44 Some wanted to arrest him, but no one actually laid a hand on him.
45 The guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, 'Why haven't you brought him?'
46 The guards replied, 'No one has ever spoken like this man.'
JOHN 7:44-46
The pharisees had sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus, but when they heard Him speak, they just couldn't do it. They felt in their hearts that Jesus was truly a prophet--and could possibly be the messiah! However, they ultimately follow through with their orders when they apprehend Jesus and take Him to the chief priests. What on earth makes them change their minds? Is it their sense of duty? Is it the pressure exerted by the pharisees? Do they fear losing their jobs for becoming followers of Jesus?
We are not strangers to this type of thing. Those who follow Christ are persecuted today as they were almost 2000 years ago. I've seen people lose friends, become estranged from family members, pass on job opportunities, success, money, and fame all because of Jesus. Yes, of course it's hard, but Jesus himself rewards us for it! Don't be afraid to follow Him!! At the end of the day, if you leave Jesus to chase something else, you won't be as happy. That's the bottom line. If only these guards would have followed through. But who knows, maybe they did... maybe seeing that innocent holy man crucified changed their hearts. That's between them and God now.
Choose Christ, first and foremost, once and for all. Seeking His Kingdom first and everything else shall be given to you! If a promotion, a relationship, or a friendship is going to put your relationship with the Lord in jeopardy, then that's indicative enough that you should drop everything and run, run to Jesus! Don't allow anything to come between you and God. Remember that you are His and everything you have is His. Keep your eyes on the cross.
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