Loved this essay. I can feel the thought process all the way through. It reminds me of reading things during totalitarian regime and trying to figure out using empathy what was going on with the bad guys.
I also thought about, for some reason, how God hardened the pharaoh’s heart in Exodus. Both pharaoh and Judas seem to have an out, but God, and Jesus here, almost encourage them to follow their ideas and conceit to its end.
Isn't it amazing how every story in His Word holds a lesson for our lives and our own spiritual paths, and yet simultaneously maps the life of Jesus—His spiritual path through temptations and victories, per His disclosure on the road to Emmaus when He "opened the Scriptures" to His disciples and their "hearts burned within" them. It's no wonder the Bible is the best selling book in human history! One might even say it's a miracle. ;-)
Loved this essay. I can feel the thought process all the way through. It reminds me of reading things during totalitarian regime and trying to figure out using empathy what was going on with the bad guys.
I also thought about, for some reason, how God hardened the pharaoh’s heart in Exodus. Both pharaoh and Judas seem to have an out, but God, and Jesus here, almost encourage them to follow their ideas and conceit to its end.
Isn't it amazing how every story in His Word holds a lesson for our lives and our own spiritual paths, and yet simultaneously maps the life of Jesus—His spiritual path through temptations and victories, per His disclosure on the road to Emmaus when He "opened the Scriptures" to His disciples and their "hearts burned within" them. It's no wonder the Bible is the best selling book in human history! One might even say it's a miracle. ;-)
Great piece, Leah. Lots to unpack here.