John
11:45-57
Key Verse:
"You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the
people than that the whole nation perish."
John 11:50
As usual, the
miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead had the desired effect. It brought
glory to God and many believed. Also, as usual, it brought controversy. This
latest miracle was reported to the leadership, who evidently were not eye
witnesses, and a meeting was called to discuss what to do about "the Jesus
problem."
Now, Jesus
was seen by the leadership as, not only posing a threat to their own power, but
a national threat as well. What if everyone eventually believed in Jesus? Then
what? What would happen to the leadership standing with the Romans, with whom
they had become somewhat comfortable? What would happen to Judea as they knew
it and ruled it? This, "Jesus problem," was not going away. It was
growing and the more it grew, the less control they would have over the
situation. Something had to be done!
So, as high
priest, Caiaphas speaks up and says more than even he realizes. "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." (John 11:50) What
Caiaphas probably thought that he was saying was something like, "Look,
let's just get rid of him and the nation will go back to the way things
were." John, however, calls Caiaphas' statement a prophesy, which is an
amazing statement in itself. Aren't prophets in close communication with God
and supportive of His message for His people? Without realizing it, Caiaphas
has actually hit upon God's plan for mankind that Jesus had come to die for all
people so that those who would believe would be saved. Unfortunately, at
present, it would appear that he himself would not benefit from God's plan.
Are you
surprised that an enemy of Jesus, a nonbeliever, would be used to utter the
words of God? It had been done before. Balaam prophesied about Judah's coming
messiah, though he had actually been hired to curse the nation of Israel. (Numbers
24:5-7) Saul prophesied and he was an enemy of David. (1
Samuel 10:9-12 & 19:23-24)
God says,
through the prophet Isaiah, "As the rain and the snow come down from
heaven; and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud
and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so
is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but
will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent
it." (Isaiah
55:10-11) It's not the messenger, but the message that we must honor.
We get caught
up in the trappings. Caiaphas was honored and listened to because he was high
priest, a position of honor. It's the message, however, that deserved the honor
because it was actually the word of God. We too easily get distracted by the
vessel that we can see and hear. We say that so and so is a good speaker,
dynamic, captivating! We get caught up in the style and drama, or lack thereof,
in the presentation. In truth, however, it's the message, not the packaging
that we need to regard as Holy. It's the Bible, lying in your lap, or on your
screen that holds the true power for our lives. It is the Word that God sends
forth to accomplish His purposes.
Now, doesn't
that leave us without excuse? How often have we used the limitations of our own
vessels to not go forth in the world? We forget what we carry. We have the Word
of God and that's where the power lies. It's not about us! It's about Him. He
has promised to be faithful to His word. He will guide it on its course, but it
must be spoken through us, broken vessels though we are. Paul says that we are
clay vessels with treasure. (2
Cor. 4:7-12) So, speak, and let others see the treasure within you.
Hymn: "Thy Word"
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