You Said, What??? 

John 11:45-57 

Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, ‘What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. 

When it comes to Jesus, you either get Him or you don’t. There are two response to someone who is confronted with the full force of the reality of Jesus and His words. There is either a sense of clarity and an irresistible epiphany or there’s a critical refusal to acknowledge His legitimacy. You will cross paths with both types today.

That may seem like a strong statement, as there are many today who seem fine with Jesus…”Jesus is just alright with me”…(for young readers, that’s a reference to the 1972 song by the great theologians of my youth, The Doobie Brothers.). But the message of Jesus is often watered down today. If you look at the full scope of Jesus’ words, such as we are doing by going chapter by chapter through John, you realize that Jesus is truly a divisive figure. 

As a result of the raising of Lazarus, some believed and some went to the Pharisees with malicious intent. 

So, the scene changes and we are able to be a fly on the wall as the Council of the Jewish leaders convene to discuss Jesus. Jesus is NOT alright with them. During this scene, we are able to see God’s brilliant sense of humor. Really! This is pretty funny. Let me set it up for you. 

The council receives word that Jesus raised a man from the dead. They were beside themselves. They had to do something and definitively stop Jesus, at any cost, or all will believe in Him. If that happens, the council of the Jews will be unemployed and without power. This was unacceptable to them.

Caiaphas, the High Priest, began to speak with the apparent intent to rally the troops and state that Jesus must die so that the nation be preserved. He meant to diplomatically state that they must save the nation, but what he really meant was to save their own power and position.  But the most amazing (and funny) thing happened. God hi-jacked Caiaphas’ words in order to prophesy of the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross. He said, WHAT??? 

God used the lips of an evil-hearted man of earthly position and power to proclaim the glories of Jesus and His atoning work on the cross. Caiaphas opened his mouth with selfish and evil intent, but he put his foot in his mouth in the most sensational way. 

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish. Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one, the children of God who are scattered abroad. 

So, as a fly on the wall, I’m flapping my wings and doing cartwheels in the air as I laugh hilariously at the irony. The high priest, who will shortly oversee the court proceedings that will immorally condemn Jesus to die, is actually preaching Jesus. And not only preaching that Jesus will save Israel but that His death will bring salvation to people of all nations! Preach it brother! Can I hear an AMEN! 

Well, I got wrapped up in the irony of this story and I didn’t really get to any devotional application this morning. So, let’s take a few moments and soak in the amazing Providence and Sovereignty of God in the affairs of all men. When it appears that the great world powers are taking us down the road to destruction, don’t despair. God will turn their evil intent into the results He desires. God is working out His plan in the most mysterious ways. The apostle Peter will later remind us of this fact, that God always uses man’s evil intent for His purposes. 

This man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power, Acts 2:23, 24. 

Thank you Jesus, that the message of Caiaphas is true. You died to extend your saving grace to Israel and beyond Israel; to all nations. You do indeed love the world. I am a grateful recipient of your saving grace and I pray that my readers embrace You as their Savior as well. Amen!