The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope. (from the Suffering Servant, Isaiah 53)
REFLECTION
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
The Pharisees obviously loathed Jesus. Prejudice, jealousy, intolerance all drove the Pharisees to plan to kill Him. How many times do we read in the news or see documentaries of the killing of several people either because of politics, prejudice, anger, hatred and the emotion takes over with doom as its everlasting consequence? Two people will lose their lives-the murdered one and the one murdering.
Glory in God's kingdom is through the Cross. How many times do I refuse to carry it, want relief of the burden, or find others to carry it? The goal is to take up the cross of suffering and humiliation, to die to ourselves, to self pity, envy, pride, hatred, bickering, and quarrelling. In dying to sin, I am given the hope of all hope--our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who loving you and me willingly took up His Cross, and offered His life for ours. And in Him is all hope. Can we do the same for our brethren?
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