FIVE PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO STOP EASTER BUT FAILED.

Have you ever thought about how many people who tried to stop Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, whether for good or bad? Some wanted Jesus dead, and they thought His words were blasphemous. Others looked out for their own interest and rule, but there were some who wanted to protect Jesus—and they were distraught at His death.

But God is sovereign over all, and He knew the path that His Son must follow in order to save mankind once and for all.

Here are five (5) actors who tried to stop Jesus’ life, death, or resurrection and failed according to God’s plan:

1. King Herod: The Paranoid Manipulator.

King Herod and many of the people he governed did not want to welcome a new King. Herod feared for his throne, and his people feared his vengeance. Once Herod learned information about the Messiah from the wise men, he asked them to go search for the new born King and return with news of the exact location of the new born king so that he too could worship the King.

But being warned in a dream, the wise men travelled home a different way. Then Herod in his anger and paranoia decided to take matters into his own hands and tried to kill every Hebrew baby boy that fit the age range of the Messiah.

“Then Herod he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof from two years old and under, accordance to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.” – Matthew 2:16

But God sent an angel to warn Joseph in a dream, and he took Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt. Herod failed to stop the Messiah, and God’s sovereign plan for His Son continued.

1. Satan:

The Evil Deceiver
Satan tried to stop God’s plan by tempting Jesus with empty promises and bribes that he could not fulfill. Jesus, both fully divine and fully human, experienced temptation as a man the same way that we do, but He did not yield or sin.

“Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain and showeth Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. And said unto Him: ‘All these things will i give you, if thou will fall down and worship me.’ Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him …” – Matthew 4:8-11

Can you imagine the fury Satan felt when Jesus remained strong in His choice to choose us—even to death? Though the Bible does not tell us, I think it is plausible to think that Satan was there at the crucifixion. We know he entered Judas Iscariot; Luke 22:3-4 says, “Then entered Satan, into Judas, surname Iscariot, being of the number of the Twelve. And he went his ways, and communed with the chief priests and captains how he might betray Him unto them.”

If he couldn’t stop God’s ultimate plan, he surely wanted to cause as much pain and havoc as he could while the Messiah suffered on earth. Satan failed, and not only did he lose the battle…he lost the war. God’s plan prevailed unhindered as prophesied.

1. The Sanhedrin/Chief Priests: Wickedly Insecure Men

The Sanhedrin was the supreme council of the Jewish people in the time of Christ and earlier.

“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.”

They really didn’t like Jesus and their desire was to trap Him into what they considered blasphemy. They already had it set in their minds that they would find a way to execute Him.

“When the morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” – Matthew 27:1-2.

And they didn’t stop there.

“But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they shoulf ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus.” – Matthew 27:20

They wanted Jesus dead, and they succeeded as God had planned. But they failed in thinking that they were in control; they had no power when it came to Jesus’ life, death, or resurrection…the power and plan was God’s alone. They could not stop the resurrection, nor could they stop the news of it. The tomb was found empty; death could not hold Him. He is risen indeed (Halleluyah).

1. Simon Peter: The Brave Defender.

Then Simon Peter having a sword tried to stop Jesus from being taken by the Roman guards. He succeeded in cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant before Jesus stopped him.

John 18:10-11 says:

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear (The servant’s name was Malchus). Then said Jesus unto Peter, ‘Put up thy sword into thy sheath; the cup which my Father has given me shall I not drink it?”

“Thinketh thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” – Matthew 26:53-54

Can you imagine how hard it must have been for the disciples to accept that Jesus must die to fulfill His plan as Messiah—and that there was nothing they could do to help or stop it? They did not fully understand yet why Jesus must die, and they doubted before they saw Him again. Peter failed to protect the Messiah and save Him from the cross, but later he understood that it wasn’t Jesus who needed saving. Oh what grace God bestows on us.

1. Pontius Pilate: The Reluctant Judge.

Even Pilate’s wife tried to dissuade him from crucifying Jesus: “When Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘When he was set down on the judgement seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, have thou nothing to do with that jus man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.’” – Matthew 27:19

Let’s reflect on all the roles played by all these actors and begin to imagine all what God had to allow to happen to His Only begotten Son as we continue in this Easter period celebrations.

The reason for the Season quite so much outweighs the way most of us handled the Season.

Wishing you all a superlative Easter Celebrations.

… On the last day, what will be documented as the role you also played? Are you crucifying Jesus Christ again for the second time?

Regards

Moses Durodola