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Topic: Plague of Jealousy
[DCLM Daily Manna 8 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: John 11:47-57 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles“ (John 11:47).
MESSAGE:
Tuthmosis III was the sixth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. He was regarded as a great military genius and expansionist. Apparently moved by envy and jealousy, he tried to destroy the memory of his predecessor and stepmother, Queen Hatshepsut. This he did by building a wall around her obelisk (a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument) to prevent people from admiring it or reading its inscriptions. Ironically, this malicious act helped in preserving Queen Hatshepsut’s obelisk for posterity!
The action of the chief priests and Pharisees was not only borne out of jealousy but also shows the extent jealousy can go to bring down its target. Christ had just performed one of the greatest miracles of raising Lazarus from death four days after burial. Expectedly, this brought so much joy and excitement in Bethany and beyond. As a result, many believed in Christ.
The Pharisees and chief priests sat in council to determine what to do – not for, but against Christ. Uncomfortable with Christ’s increasing exploits and fame, they decided that He should be killed. Of course, God had already planned to use Christ’s death as channel for the salvation of mankind even as unwittingly prophesied by Caiaphas, one of the priests. Like the spiteful building of wall around the obelisk, their jealousy and maliciousness only fuelled Christ’s glorification while His detractors fizzled out miserably.
Jealousy is as strong as death and as poisonous as venom. The trouble with it is that it unleashes more harm to the person harbouring it than the person targeted. You may be tempted but do not let the devil drop this deadly venom in your heart. If you are the target of jealousy, Iean on God and be sure that the venom can only water the plant of your success.
Thought For The Day: Another person’s promotion does not mean your demotion until you confirm it with jealousy.
Bible Reading In One Year: Romans 4-7
