- Jesus: The Series (Season 12)
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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
John 11 confronts us with a sobering truth. It is possible to be deeply religious and still deeply wrong about Jesus. Caiaphas and the religious leaders did not lack Scripture, or zeal. What they lacked was humility. They decided Jesus was a threat and then excused everything, even murder, to protect what felt safe and familiar. Their fear convinced them that preserving the system mattered more than discerning the work of God. The tragedy was not only that they rejected Jesus, but that they did so while believing they were acting faithfully. This passage invites us to slow down and ask where we might be doing the same. Where have we already decided what must be true, and then filtered Jesus through that conclusion?
Following Jesus means letting Him question our assumptions, not just confirm them. Real faith is willing to admit, “I might be wrong,” and to let the spiritual fruit, not fear, guide us. The good news is that Jesus is not fragile. He isn’t about to lose. He does not need us to protect Him, manage Him, or excuse sin on His behalf. He invites repentance, honesty, and surrender. When we stop excusing what He confronts, and start confessing what He reveals, a real sense of who Jesus is returns. Jesus died not to preserve our comfort, but to free us from sin and self-deception, and to give us truth and life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, search our hearts. Show us where we have excused what You do not excuse and defended what You never defended. Give us humble eyes to see truth, courage to repent, and grace to follow You faithfully. Shape us to look like You, not use You. Amen.