Scripture~
Numbers 15, Psalm 69:19-36, John 11

     It is uncomfortable to read some of the passages of the Old Testament . . . especially this part with the children of Israel in the wilderness. The human part of me thinks that God is over reacting and being harsh . . . but looking at it from His eyes . . . I would do no different with my own child if she were being disobedient. God is not raising just one child but He is bringing an entire people out of a land of slavery and oppression and molding them into one of the most influential people of all time. The “apple of His eye” and “God’s chosen people” did not become so over night . . . generations upon generations of worship, forgiveness, statuettes, and sacrifices have brought them to His side.
     The Psalmist lays hints at what God really seeks. Verses 30 – 31

30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.

     From the beginning the Lord did not have a thing against bulls and rams that their blood may flow for His pleasure. The law was established out of love; out of an attempt for a loving Father to reach out to His people. But the people followed the Law with no regard to He that established the law. They followed the law so the Lord would love them . . . not out of love for the Lord did they follow. There is a difference. This is something that continues today . . . I myself have seen the repercussions and pressures that come with trying to be “good enough” for God. The peace that comes when you realize that you’ll never be “good enough” . . . for it’s God’s grace in which we find mercy . . . and through that and because we Love the Lord should we follow His law.
     We read and from personal experience know that Christ love’s us. But to see Christ so deeply moved at the death of His friend . . . I think in this part it is God’s way of showing us that He understands those who mourn at the death of a loved one. Even those who share the faith know that they will be together again so one may ask, why do we mourn? I think through this lesson and scripture Christ shows us that it’s ok to feel this way. But in the midst of His pain He’s crying out to the Father . . . just as we should do.
     From an analytical view . . . I’m still not convinced that Caiaphas was as evil as people think. Part of me thinks that Caiaphas knew who Jesus really was and understood that He must die for prophecy to be fulfilled. Nothing is said much of Caiaphas as far as whether or not he believed after the death and resurrection of Christ . . . but I often wonder . . .