The Cart Before the Horse

 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. John 18:28 (NLT)

I found this passage strange when I read it. The accusers of Jesus (most probably Jewish leaders) didn’t go into the Roman governor’s headquarters because it would defile them. However, they didn’t think that getting an innocent man killed, encouraging false witnesses against him and all the other evil things they did, would defile them. It shows how blinding religion can be.

Saul had a similar mindset when he decided to disobey God by not completely destroying the Amalekites as commanded. He spared King Agag and the best of the livestock and said they were going to sacrifice the livestock to the Lord. Not completely sure what he was thinking of doing with the king though!

Samuel angrily said to him, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22 (NLT)

As Christians, it’s easy to think we can’t be like the Jewish leaders or Saul; it is a situation we can unconsciously slip into. This can happen when we place excessive importance on church traditions and activities more than our genuine fellowship with God. These activities in themselves are not bad but we can be at our best in them when God is fully involved and in the centre of them.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, we see how the priest and temple assistant ignored the hurting man. They should have known better and extended a hand of compassion. They were most possibly consumed with their religious duties than helping their fellow human.

Jesus didn’t ignore those suffering around him. He extended a hand of compassion, and He encourages us to do the same to family, friends, neighbours and even our enemies. “But I say, love your enemies…In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” Matthew 5: 44-45 (NLT)

Jesus was involved in a lot of activities, but He also showed us the importance of His connection with God, the Father. “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30 (NLT). He also said, “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.” John 12:49 (NLT)

“So Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” John 5:19 (NLT)

Jesus spent time regularly with the Father before He did anything. The Father was His source of power and needs to be ours too.

Only then, will we not put the cart before the horse.

Stay blessed,

Lara