The Schemes of Satan-3

As we continue to seek to uncover and understand the schemes of Satan, we must also develop our resistance to this demonic deception. We will continue to see these schemes even as we study Jesus life.

John 7:25  So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, "Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill? 7:26  "Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? 

How did the people know that the Jewish leaders were trying to kill Jesus? Possible reasons could include; trying to put fear into the hearts of the people, trying to silence Jesus and drive Him out of town, or making their plans known in defiance of Roman law.

7:27  "However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from." 

If both Matthew and Luke could include the genealogy of Jesus in their gospels, why couldn’t the Jews research the family records held in the Temple? Why? They did not want to know or the people to know anything that could lead to them considering Jesus as the promised Messiah.

7:28  Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 7:29  "I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me." 

Jesus never held His mission, His position, or His oneness with the Father from them. In fact, that is the reason they wanted to kill Him. They did not want GOD interfering with their Temple business.

7:30  So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 

This points once again that Jesus was in total control of His life and death.

John 10:17  "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 10:18  "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." 

Many falsely claim that Jesus never actually said that He was GOD, but that again is all just lies from Satan. Unfortunately it is the leaders who control the news, both then and now. They claim they give us the truth, but even that is a lie.

7:31  But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, "When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?" 

While the Jews never denied any of the signs or miracles performed by Jesus, neither did these signs change their belief in Jesus. As mentioned before, miracles seldom led to ‘saving’ faith. Yet, it is the signs that Isaiah prophesied that would identify the Messiah.

Isaiah 35:5  Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 35:6  Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 

Which is the passage Jesus quoted to John the Baptist.

Luke 7:18  The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 7:19  Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" 

This is the only proof Jesus gave them.

7:20  When the men came to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'" 

7:21  At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 

7:22  And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 

More next Saturday.