I was honored today. Rejoice Marriage Ministries used a devotional I had written as part of their daily "Charlyne Cares" devotionals. God can use the most unlikely of people or circumstances in our lives to bring about good. It is hard for me to understand, but I know that everything that happens to me first must pass through the loving hands of God. Have a blessed Easter!


Unlikely Prophet

As we approach Easter, the Gospels refer to many who were involved in the events that led up to the crucifixion. Those that would first come to mind are Jesus, His disciples, Mary, Pilate and the soldiers. My thoughts didn't turn to Caiaphas, the high priest, but in my reading of the Gospel of John, I see that he played a major role in this story.

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar-when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene-during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert." Luke 3:1-2

A story we may all be familiar with is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew when He was told that Lazarus was sick, that Lazarus would die and He would call to Lazarus to bring him back to life. There were many Jews who were with Mary and Martha during this time. After Lazarus came out of the grave, many of those Jews put their trust in Jesus. However, not all believed in the power of Jesus. They went, instead, to the meeting of the Sanhedrin.

"But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one." John 11:46-52

This is where Caiaphas enters the story in a bigger way. It isinteresting to me that John could recognize that Caiaphas had prophesied about the saving of not only the Jewish nation, but also the scattered children of God. Caiaphas did not intend, when he spoke, to proclaim that Jesus was the Savior. His intent was to get rid of Jesus so that the Romans would not overtake the Jews.

"But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him." John 11:57

We hear again of Caiaphas, after Jesus had been arrested.

" Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people." John 18:12-14

John emphasizes again what Caiaphas had said, "it would be good if one man died for the people." Caiaphas, being a Pharisee, was more concerned about honoring the laws of God instead of honoring God. He was part of the Sanhedrin that "voted" to have Jesus put to death. Caiaphas is used as evil in the plot to kill Jesus. But God used him to prophesy about Jesus.

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:22-23

God can use anyone and anything to accomplish His purpose. Even though we may not understand how something that appears to be so horrible can be used to bring glory to God, all we have to do is look to the Cross of Jesus. To fulfill God's plan of salvation, Jesus had to suffer and die. I can't think of anything that I have been through that can compare to what Jesus has done for me. This is the resurrection that we celebrate, not only at Easter, but all year long.

The Impossible Dream

As I was reading through Genesis, once again I was inspired by the story of Joseph. There were some interesting things I had not considered about Joseph's life. Did you know that he was 17 when he first received the dream that revealed to him that his brothers would bow down to him? His brothers didn’t share in his enthusiasm. As we see it, he was the child of the covenant.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. Gen 37:3-5

Joseph’s brothers didn't see God's hand in this situation. They wanted to make sure that his dream never happened. They took matters into their own hands.

Many events in Joseph’s life happened in the next 13 years. He was a sold into slavery in Egypt.

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. Gen 39:2-4

Potiphar’s wife took notice of Joseph. He ran from her presence to keep his ways pure. He was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, ... But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. Gen 39:20-22

In prison, Joseph was put in charge of the other prisoners. He was able to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer and baker. He remained in God’s service, even in prison.

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He inquired of all his officials and none of them could give the interpretation to the dream. The cupbearer remembered Joseph.

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Gen 41:16

Because Joseph was able to tell Pharaoh the meaning of the dreams, he was promoted from prisoner in the morning to second in command in the afternoon. Talk about suddenly!!

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." Gen 41:39-40

So at the age of 30, Joseph was put in charge of preparing for the years of plenty and the years of famine as the dreams of Pharaoh revealed.

Joseph was about 39 years old when the brothers came to Egypt to buy food for their family, because the famine was so severe. Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him.

They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor. Gen 43:28

The dream Joseph received as a 17 year old was not fulfilled for about 22 years. That is a long time, in human terms, to wait. We obviously wouldn't have heard of Joseph's story if he had told the Lord, "it's been too long” or “I can't do this anymore” or “it’s too hard”, etc. Joseph was used in a mighty way by God because he was willing to be faithful and was willing to wait on the Lord and His timing.

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Gen 50:19-21

My challenge to you is to look Satan in the face and tell him “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God’s word to you is “So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children”. Don’t be afraid. Dreams (visions & calls from the Lord) do come true, even when they seem impossible.

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26