Why were the Pharisees so troubled by Jesus? Why did they reject Him as their Messiah?
His claims were clear. And His miracles provided sufficient evidence to prove He was the Messiah. He healed the blind, raised the dead, and cleansed lepers. What more did they want?
But neither His claims, nor His miracles convinced the Jewish leadership.
They condemned Him as an impostor and plotted to get rid of Him.
What did they miss? The real enemy.
Their Messiah was to sweep in, knock Caesar off his throne, defeat the evil Roman Empire and establish Israel as the pre-eminent nation in the world. But Rome was not the enemy.
The enemy, a trio of adversaries to be exact, was far more sinister and cunning. Satan, sin and death comprised the axis of evil that stood against the people of Israel and held them under their power.
The Pharisees missed this critical truth. They missed it because they did not know themselves. They were blind to their lost condition and the fact they were spiritually dead like everyone else in the world.
They needed a savior, One who knew the enemy and could defeat it at every turn. They needed Jesus.
In one crushing blow He defeated Satan, sin and death.
As for Satan and his band of demons, Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities, and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15 (NIV)
As for sin, Jesus “appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26 (NIV)
As for death, Jesus “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…” 2 Timothy 1:10 (ESV)
Jesus knew the enemy, the real enemy of our souls. Through death and resurrection, He crushed them ending their reign once and for all.
Your enemy has been defeated. Rejoice in Christ’s victory for you and live as conquerors in life. This is truth that will set you free.
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