"But, Moreover!"

 "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him." (John 11:57 KJV)

  "This is what the LORD says: "Your injury is incurable - a terrible wound. There is no one to help you or to bind up your injury. No medicine can heal you. All your lovers - your allies - have left you and do not care about you anymore. I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy. For your sins are many, and your guilt is great. Why do you protest your punishment - this wound that has no cure? I have had to punish you because your sins are many and your guilt is great."" (Jeremiah 30:12-15 NLT)

 To what do we owe this honor? Having been serving God, superficially, these men of God have given their command, that the Son of God be shown, so that He might be apprehended! Just imagine what this actually looks like, from a laymen's point of view. If you were serving under these men, wouldn't you be a little concerned or astounded by such a command? 

 By the way, doesn't this seem rather interesting how this actually looks? Since when does the priests and Pharisees, those that teach and regulate the law, have the right to apprehend anyone? I mean, they apparently believe that they have all the power that they want, but in reality, they really are meant to be servants and teachers, not police and executioners. 

 I am pretty sure that is why John has pointed this out, especially in the context by which he has shown it. That word, 'now,' is a world that represents the title above, 'but, moreover,' which basically means, that these men have stepped it up a notch, and have cross a line that they cannot turn back away from. They have now included those outside of the Council, their inner circle, and now they will need to justify, however possible, the motivation of their commands. 

 This passage from Jeremiah is just something that caught my attention, because it matches this little situation so perfectly and correct. The whole point of God's, 'terrible wound,' is that it is self-inflicted; that means that it is a wound that was brought on by themselves, by their own wrongdoing and their sin; sins that are so great, that the guilt cannot be quenched! 

 How exactly does God wound anyone so cruelly, as if He were their enemy? First of all, there is nothing here, physically, that can fix or heal being separated from God! You would think by now that there would be a consensus on that fact and spiritual leaders would quit trying to tell people the steps to be healed. There is only one way to be reunited with God, and it is not found any other way but Jesus! 

 If Jesus is your enemy, you are terribly wounded...

"The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They pile up lies and violence; they are making an alliance with Assyria while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt. Now the LORD is bringing charges against Judah. He is about punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways, and pay him back for all he has done. Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him - the LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the LORD is his name! So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him." (Hosea 12:1-6 NLT)