Believers Devotional Network

People often desire to be in control and to project strength. Many individuals in positions of authority; and even ordinary citizens strive to show that they are in charge. Of course, a certain degree of leadership and responsibility is necessary, but it is vital to recognise where true power and control ultimately come from and we should all depend on the Lord our God and Saviour.

In the current conflicts Russia vs Ukraine; US–Israeli war against Iran, for example, both sides are working tirelessly to control the narrative, to project power, and to give the impression that they are fully in command. This has led to increased censorship and internet blackouts, attempts to hide the extent of the devastation in order to maintain an image of strength. Yet we all know that war is destructive, tragic, and leaves behind deep wounds and long-term regret. Wisdom is reuired to know when to seek diplomacy, negotiate resolutions and even surrender.

When the Lord Jesus was crucified, we see a similar desire for control. The Jewish leaders worked hard to shape the narrative and to appear fully in charge of Jesus’ fate. Remembering that Jesus had said He would rise after three days, they went to Pilate and requested that the tomb be sealed and guarded; under the pretext of preventing His disciples from stealing His body. Pilate agreed, and the seal on the tomb signified that any interference would be considered a direct challenge to Roman authority, punishable by death.

But what the Jewish leaders failed to understand was that God Himself was in charge of the events of that Passover. Despite the agony, humiliation, and apparent triumph of evil men, God was sovereign over every moment. Scripture declares:

“6…and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all… 10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer… 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…” Isaiah 53 (NIV).

“Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Psalm 16:10 (NIV).

These prophecies were spoken centuries earlier (around 1000 BC by King David) and (around 700 BC by the prophet Isaiah). The Sanhedrin, made up largely of chief priests and teachers of the Law, certainly knew these Scriptures concerning the Messiah. They possessed head knowledge, but lacked the wisdom and faith to recognise their fulfilment. Some believed Jesus was an impostor, and unbelief hardened their hearts. Yet I am convinced that Jesus’ own words echoed in their minds: “The Son of Man… will be killed, and after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31).

They tried to prevent the resurrection — but no one can stop the plans of God.

After Jesus rose from the dead, the leaders again attempted to control the narrative by spreading the lie that the disciples had stolen His body. They even commanded the apostles not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus Acts 4:17. But they could already see that many were believing the apostles’ testimony, and the gospel was unstoppable. One of their own, the respected Rabbi Gamaliel, wisely rebuked their efforts:

“If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”Acts 5:38–39 (NIV).

My dear family and friends; those who know me, those who do not, and those who may simply come across this message; I appeal to you: believe in Jesus and trust Him daily. Jesus died on the cross so that your sins and mine may be forgiven. It was God’s plan that Jesus would die in our place so that we might be saved and restored to a right relationship with our holy and righteous God.

The Christian faith is both inclusive and exclusive. It is inclusive because God invites everyone; Jew and Gentile, male and female, people from every nation, language, and tribe to receive forgiveness through the Messiah, whom God offered as a sacrifice for sin, just as Isaiah foretold. Yet it is exclusive because only through Jesus the Messiah is God’s righteous wrath against sin satisfied. No one can be reconciled to God apart from faith in Christ, and God confirmed this by raising Jesus from the dead.

Every founder of every religion in history died, and their remains are still with us. But Jesus rose from the dead so that we might believe and have a secure hope that even though we die, we will live eternally through Him. Yes, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah did not see decay or taste death but their faith was in the same God we serve, and their lives point forward to the coming of Jesus the Messiah.

May the grace of God be with you all. Amen.