[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad....And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 11:51-52, John 10:16
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #46: To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World. Piper opens this devotion by sharing how God often uses His creation who unwittingly speak on God's behalf. His first example is from Numbers 22:28 where a donkey speaks for God. His next example is from John 11:50-52 where the high priest of Israel - Caiaphas - unwittingly prophesied that "Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." Piper then shares how Jesus Himself said the same thing as Caiaphas - see John 10:16. Emphasizing this specific prophecy, the devotion then remarks how Jesus works as "astonishing [because] [t]hey teach that all over the world there are people whom God has chosen to be reached and saved by Jesus Christ....This means that God is very aggressive in gathering a people for his Son. He calls his people to go make disciples, but he also goes before them. He has a people chosen before his messengers get there." As the devotion begins to wind down, Piper highlights the importance of missions as he refers us to John 10:3-4. The devotion then concludes and nets out the key response for those readers who are believers: "Jesus suffered and died so that the sheep could hear his voice and live...He gave up his life to gather the sheep. By his blood he bought the mercy that makes his voice unmistakable to his own. Pray that God would apply that mercy to you, and that you would hear and live."
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is in control and You have a perfect design and plan to reach all nations and peoples. Use me Father God in this plan - help me understand and answer Your call to serve and help. Thank You for the incredible grace and mercy You poured out for me as shed blood so that I could live now for You and for eternity. I am not deserving of such blessings...not by a long shot. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
