There is a saying, ‘If at first you don’t succeed; try, try, and try again’. Many of us give up after the first try. But not so the Adversary of our souls. And he’s not above using us to get at someone else. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 22:34 CEB
[34] When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together.
Succumbing to the Enemy
While we make every effort to focus on a sin rather than the sinner, we can’t miss the fact that the Jewish leaders had a problem with Y’shua Jesus. This day in question wasn’t their first altercation, but there they were, each already having had a go at Him. On the same day at that! And when they realised they’d each failed, we’re told they sought to join forces. Oy!
Self-Check
What about us? Have we so despised someone that we’d join forces with others to bring the other down?
Application
What we see presenting is Y’shua under attack by the Pharisees, Sadduces, and even the Herodians. I hope that we also see that behind all those attackers was Satan. Those outward manifestors were simply allowing themselves to be used by the devil. They were also under satanic attack, although they hadn’t recognized it as such.
Siblings
The enemy was not missing a beat. On the one hand, the devil was on the path to discredit Y’shua; but the devil used three different groups on the same day to do so. The fact is, that didn’t begin on the day we’re reading about. Oh no. It began before that.
We could argue that it began at creation when God decided to make two “mini-me’s” called Adam and Eve. The creation of humanity signalled the battle royal between the enemy of our souls and the creator of us all. For, with humanity came opportunity to hurt God immeasurably.
On the literal plane, so to speak, the battle began when Y’shua’s ministry threatened their beliefs. It might have been jealousy. It could have been competitiveness, but it boiled down to their willingness to attack Y’shua publicly. All three groups succumbed to the suggestions planted in their spirit by the enemy of our souls. None was willing at that time to see reason. None realized that they were pawns being moved by the devil.
It’s that serious siblings. Sometimes, we fail to see the bigger picture. In one moment of offence, in one moment of annoyance, in one moment of jealousy, lust, fatigue … you name it; we take our eyes off Jesus. Before we realize it, the enemy has already stepped in and captured us – albeit for a moment. If we fail to see and repent (i.e., return to Y’shua), we find ourselves like Cain, guilty of murder or theft.
And no, I’m not speaking about those crimes only, I’m also referring to how we assassinate others’ characters, crush dreams, and steal joy and peace from others. I’m speaking as one who’s gotten caught. I’m praying that it isn’t the same for you.
Point to Ponder
Often, we find it hard to comprehend the depth of the Pharisees and Sadduces’ hatred of Jesus. Can we see how easily we can get caught up in similar behaviour?
I pray for our victory today that we will not succumb to the enemy.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
