Verses 45-48 As a result, many of the Jews believed in him. One would think that there couldn’t possibly be any other response! But, unfortunately, some of them went and tattled to the Pharisees. It’s astounding to imagine how they could evade the force of this evidence. Things couldn’t be clearer that Jesus is Lord. But Satan blinded the eyes of this circle of Jews and they skirted conviction again.

When the news reached them, the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting with the Sanhedrin, the council of the Jewish religious leaders. Notice no one denied Jesus’s miracles. They were witnessing many of them. But they don’t even consider accepting that He is the Messiah they were waiting for.

Instead of getting advice on what to do, the rulers complained about Jesus’ growing number of followers, and it only irritated them enough to hate Jesus. They worried that Jesus’ following would enrage the Romans. The government might think there is an uprising against authority, and therefore wipe out Jerusalem, their temple, making things worse for anyone who would follow this new king.

Fear and selfishness often lead us to baseless conclusions. This is true for these religious leaders. They conclude everyone will soon believe in Jesus’ miracles and follow him. Everyone? Everyone. And it will be the end of their nation when the Roman army hears of this.

When we lose our faith, we lose our courage.

The Romans were not jealous of Jesus’ preaching or following. There was no danger of the Roman authority being irritated by the success of the gospel. It didn’t hurt the kings or their countries. It actually benefited them. Jesus taught respect for authority.

The success of the gospel is dreadful to the devil. If God saves a soul, it is the undoing of the devil. Thus, Satan leads us astray with lies to prevent the progress of Jesus’ kingdom.

The group debated on what course of action they should take with Jesus to stop the interest in his ministry. They thought Jesus’ ministry success had something to do with their willingness to allow his preaching and miracles.

The enemy is always concerned for his own wealth and safety over any Truth or law. He covers up hatred with what seems like looking out for the good and care of others. Here, the religious leaders pretend to be afraid that tolerating Jesus’ ministry would bring Roman destruction.

Verses 49-53 Caiaphas, the high priest, had a solution. He said it was better for one man to die than for an entire nation to perish.

If the religious leaders really thought Jesus was dangerous, they could have suggested silencing him, imprisonment, or banishing Jesus to restrain his ministry.

The flesh is selfish and decides with secular interests.

The Greek word (original language of the New Testament) for flesh is “Sarx” which means “sinful nature”. Our flesh, our sinful nature, submits to the devil’s lies in our lives. Here, there is a perceived lie that Jesus is taking something away from these religious leaders and an entire nation will suffer for it.

Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s success? Have you ever found it hard to support another’s success because their success might take away from your success? It’s a lie from Satan, but that’s exactly how these religious leaders felt.

Caiaphas wanted to ensure that Jesus was out of the picture once and for all. This would solve their problem. Sin always ruins everything it touches.

The writer, John, tells us that, unknown to Caiaphas, he had actually prophesied.

With that one thought, Caiaphas (though he meant it for evil) was actually prophesying that Jesus should die for the entire nation. That’s what God had been telling his people over the years. This Messiah would come and die for them.

Caiaphas was thinking on a physical level, but his words providentially foretold a spiritual reality: Jesus was going to die for the nation. And not only for Israel, but for Gentiles too.

Isn’t this amazing?! This wicked high priest did not know that God was using him as a mouthpiece. Faith teaches us to use every man’s words, even if that’s not what they meant.

Fear rejects anything that goes against our pride or self-worth. But God can use every wicked man, even their actions and words against us, to humble and change us – and this is good. We benefit when we allow conviction and surrender to do its work in our lives.

God can use any man’s mouth to instruct us. His hand has a grip on hearts and tongues, restraining and releasing by his providence and power. The Almighty can make wicked men his instruments to serve His own purposes, even contrary to their own intentions. Our Defender holds the chains of every evil soul to restrain them from the lengths of evil they would go to. And He also holds the bridle to lead them to do the acts of service they would not do on their own.

Heaven was prompting Caiaphas with words he had no deeper sense of.

So they plotted to kill him. But man’s plots will always work for God’s purposes.

What they planned for evil, God purposed for good.

Verse 54 Since the religious leaders were conspiring to kill him, Jesus stopped walking openly among the Jews. The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders to arrest Jesus if anyone spotted him.

Verses 55-57 Everything would happen according to God’s sovereign timing. It was a week before the Passover festivities and Jerusalem was filling up with people wanting to celebrate God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery. (Exodus 12:1-28) While there, they expected to get a peek at Jesus. They could not know that they were about to witness Jesus center stage in God’s greatest plan of deliverance from slavery to sin. It would forever change their lives.

Prayer

Jesus, the more I learn about you, the more you amaze me. The sound of your name fills my heart with great joy and peace. Thank you for the mercy of your miracles in my life. I know I don’t deserve it. You strengthen my faith and draw me deeper with every touch of your hand on my life. I don’t want to be caught blind to all you’re doing in my life, so open the eyes of my heart to see you, Jesus. I want to know you more. Open my mouth as a witness to your miracles with words of praise. Let the increase in my faith strengthen my courage to share these signs and wonders with others so that their eyes are open to your miracles and it ignites their faith.

I pray my selfish motivations be laid to rest. I don’t want to cling to recognition for my effort in anything. It’s only by Your grace and mercy in my life, Jesus. When the ‘what ifs’ question your sovereignty, authority, and promises in my life, help me remain steadfast in your Truth. I believe the greatest way to love others is to share Your Truth and set them free from slavery to sin and bondage to this world. The success of your kingdom in this world has nothing to do with me. You could accomplish your purposes without me. I’m so grateful that you choose to use me in carrying out your ministry, Jesus. Release the restraints in my life so I might pour out the gifts you’ve given me all the more.

Help me throw off the sinful nature that lures me into the devil’s lies. I want to support others who bring glory to your name, Jesus. I want to be a conduit of your love and grace in my life. Let your conviction have its way in my life. I surrender to its work on my spirit, knowing you have the power to hold back and release every word and action that comes my way. Holy Spirit, help me sift everything through your filter of love and grace. I trust you, Jesus, your sovereign timing, and your purposes in my life. You have forever changed my life and I’m so grateful to have this relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.