Seeking to Kill Him

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him….  3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. … 10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. John 7:1, 3-5, 10

I have to admit, when I read this passage, I was taken aback. John states so casually that the Jewish leaders were out to kill Jesus! He says it like you’d mention the weather—something to be aware of, something to plan for—but otherwise no surprising big deal.

This is the same attitude with which many refugees, including my husband, approach their own lives. My family knows that my husband may be in danger if he ever returns to his country of origin, for political reasons. As a result, we plan travel carefully, and we keep an eye on the political “weather.” And then we just get on with our lives. For many refugees, the threat of death is an ever-present reality—something always in the back of the mind.

There is a cost to living this way, of course. Anxiety, PTSD, bad memories—nobody wants those. But quite a few newcomers to America are saddled with them. Won’t you pray for those who suffer this kind of fear? Ask the Lord to protect them and to calm their anxiety as they find ways to live in a land that is hopefully going to be safer for them.

Jesus himself lived under the constant threat of death, and he turned that curse into a blessing for us. His cross and resurrection became our salvation. As you show empathy and kindness to people who have had enough suffering in their lives, you can show them the love of Christ, who gave himself for them as well—and who calls them into his kingdom, where there will be no more evil or death or threats or PTSD—forever.

By Dr. Kari Vo