TODAY IS…

a fine day to break down barriers.

“Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. ‘What are we going to do?’ they asked each other. ‘This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.’”  John 11:47 NLT

The correct answer to that question, of course, is “Believe.”

Unfortunately, pride got in the way of many who refused to believe even after witnessing for themselves the incredible power of Christ’s deity. Not satisfied with simply dismissing Him, these same individuals participated in plotting His death.

“So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.” (John 11:53 NASB).

Caiaphas was the high priest at the time and the idea of Jesus as the Messiah was unthinkable. The Sadducees were an elite group of wealthy and educated men and Caiaphas was their leader. Messiah or not, they perceived Jesus as a threat to their lifestyle. The idea of a leader who served rather than being served was something their pride would not allow them to accept.

Even when faced with the proof that Christ had risen from the dead, they refused to accept it and threw up barriers to belief by bribing the guards to cover up Christ’s resurrection.

“When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers money, telling them, ‘You are to say,’ ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’” (Matthew 28:12-13 NIV).

Pride not only creates barriers to the facts, it also creates barriers that prevent us from seeing our faults. Pride makes it difficult to admit when we are wrong or when we need help. Both situations can create major problems for us, and for those around us.

God is aware of all of the negative effects of pride.

“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5 NIV).

We all know someone whose pride throws up barriers all around them. They are difficult to talk with, reason with, and refuse to admit or acknowledge any capacity for being wrong. The words, “I was wrong” never seem to quite make it out of their mouths. Perhaps it is someone you work with, go to school with, worship with at church, or live with.

Maybe it is you.

No?

Impossible?

Is that pride talking, or is that truly an honest assessment? Ask those around you if you throw up barriers because of your pride, and if the answer is, “Yes, you do,” ask God to help you break them down today.

*******

Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson