Today we hear that the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. These religious officials were extremely concerned about Jesus and His growing influence with the people. They were angry but also fearful. The Sanhedrin realized that they were losing some of their power with the people. This could not go on. Jesus not only was a threat to their power and control, but they also were worried that the Romans might come and take their land and be in control of their nation.

In the course of this discussion, Caiaphas, who was the high priest, voiced what many of them were thinking: Jesus had to die! There was no alternative: He was too much of a threat to their power. Caiaphas justified this course of action by saying that it was better for one man to die rather than have the nation torn apart. Thus the stage was set. The decision had been made. They began to plan how to kill Jesus.
Jesus was aware that the Pharisees were plotting against Him and He stayed in the shadows of Jerusalem until He decided to go to Ephraim with His disciples. He stayed there until it was time for the Passover. Many of the people who travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast looked for Jesus. They had heard about him and they wanted to see him for themselves. They also hoped they would hear him preach. However, Jesus was nowhere to be seen.

In the days ahead, we have a choice: to walk with Jesus through this week or to go on about our lives as if all is normal. Jesus gave His life for us! Will we take the time and walk with Jesus through this holiest of weeks? Or will we spend most of our time buying Easter gifts , Easter eggs, or traveling to visit family, and ignore the man who by His death gave us the promise of eternal life?
Jesus is waiting for us. He walks with us in our darkest hours. Will we walk with Him?

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