The Power of One

It is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.
Jn.11:50

The Sanhedrin are meeting to plan what to do about the problem of Jesus. Caiaphas the high priest gives the final solution. Kill him. The stage is set for Holy Week. 

Caiaphas' pragmatic solution, kill one for the betterment of many, is the exact opposite of Jesus' solution, save one for the betterment of all. For Jesus, the individual is of paramount importance. I matter supremely to Jesus. I have the power of one.

If the individual matters to Jesus, the individual must matter to me as his follower. 

Jesus, help me see and serve the individual you place before me today. 

Be One

Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. 
Lk.11:17

Jesus is answering the accusation that he casts out devils by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of devils. Even logic refutes this as an impossibility. Being a consummate teacher, Jesus uses the occasion to teach a truth... united we stand, divided we fall. 

Much of Jesus' prayer recorded in the Gospels is for unity among believers. For good reason. He knows our propensity to disunity and the power of its destruction. 

Striving for unity, sooner or later, involves me giving up my rights... and that is hard. Even so, what is the alternative? A collapsed house, a ruined kingdom.

Jesus, help me give up my rights as you gave up yours. 
Saints Felicity and Perpetua, please pray for me.

The Spirit of the Law

Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
Mt.5:17

Jesus has just started his great Sermon on the Mount, establishing the ground rules for what he is about to teach. The letter of the law is about to be given spirit. "You have heard it said... but I tell you..."

The letter of the law is death. The spirit of the law gives life and life in its fullness. The Pharisee within me loves the letter of the law. It is crisp, black and white, easy to administer. The trouble with the letter of the law is that it not only condemns those to whom I apply it, it condemns me! 

The spirit of the law applies the letter of the law through the lens of mercy. Mercy is messy. When mercy is applied I get the nagging feeling that people are "getting away with it". And indeed they are. Praise God!

As a man who would be hung, drawn and quartered by the letter of the law, I thank God for the spirit of the law. His mercy is my only hope.

Thank you Jesus for your wonderful mercy. I place my trust in you.