Letter to the Editor:
What motivated the Judean religious hierarchy to try to kill Jesus Christ numerous times before he knew his hour was come and he surrendered himself to die as the lamb of God?
Envy, lust for power and wealth. The will of the god of this world whom they had sold out to while covering themselves in a veneer of strict adherence to the religion. For the most part, it was the common people who followed Jesus Christ. No, not just “poor” people—the Apostles were small businessmen. They had enough to be able to support their families and take time off to study with him, serve in the ministry, travel and teach. Some of his followers were wealthy, but for the most part they were people outside the corridors of power. These few–Nicodemus, Matthew the tax collector, Joseph of Arimathea—who followed the Messiah and the Word of God, had not been corrupted by the lust for worldly power and position.
Jesus Christ was the son of God, the Messiah the religious leaders claimed to be waiting for. They should have welcomed him with open arms and great joy instead, they tried to assassinate him several times, but he walked way. Then Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. This was not a new type of miracle–he had raised several people, including Jairus’ daughter, and the son of the widow of Nain. Old Testament prophets had occasionally raised someone.
But now those who pretended to be righteous not only wanted to kill him, they intended to stop the movement. So, they conspired to put together a show trial and, if necessary, coordinate with the Roman government so they could pretend to be free of any responsibility for his murder.
Motives: the very things Satan tempted Jesus Christ with in the wilderness: power, recognition, glory and money and position.
And yet, had those “leaders” followed him, they would have been given power and position—to serve God’s people. But they refused to serve and insisted on ruling. But God resurrected Jesus Christ and the resurrection of those who sleep in Jesus is a day closer than it was yesterday. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by coming to him.
Judith Niewiadomski, Yonkers
