John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

“All men will believe on him” said the Pharisee and I wished it were true. It isn’t but O if wishing only made it so. So what did this man think would happen? Were not Romans men also, and if they believed on Jesus Christ what did he think would happen?

Israel’s hope in the Messiah was the restoration of Israel the nation. What they wanted was a King with power and authority to cast out the Romans and restore Israel to its former glory. The chief priests and leaders of the temple would maintain their place in the nation. It was self-interest they were looking for in a savior.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Most people reject Jesus because they want to be saved from their circumstances and He wants to save them from themselves. Students of history recognize that man is self-destructive. They look at the mistakes of the past and say “I would have done it this way.” No amount of historical understanding changes the nature of self-interest. The flaw is not in the system or regulations, the flaw is in us. We need to change, self-interest needs to be replaced with Agape Love. Jesus offers that and men still resist.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The abiding presence of Christ makes all the difference in the world.