Seven Miracles - Pt 25

So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. (John 11:47-53 ESV).

The last miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John is the pivot point in Jesus’ earthly ministry. It is always a little amazing how easily the religious leaders missed the incredible message of Jesus. I believe the reason they did is rooted in the same error we often make. We simply cannot find a way to see the temporary nature of this life. What we have now is not the end. This truth brings us to the first of the five principles and applications I mentioned earlier: God did not just turn this national crisis for Israel’s good and our good, he was in it from the start planning it for good. Notice carefully what John says about Caiaphas’s words in our reading today. Caiaphas says, “It is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (v. 50). And, then John says something amazing, “He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied” (v. 51). He prophesied. In other words, God brought these words to his mind. God put them there. And God has a meaning. At one level, these are Caiaphas’s words with his meaning. And at another level, these are God’s words with his meaning. And the point I am making here is that these are the words that sealed Jesus’ death. Caiaphas wanted Jesus dead, and out of the way, and so he spoke these words. God wanted Jesus dead and risen and reigning forever, and so he spoke these words. Caiaphas prophesied, that is, he spoke God’s words, and God said: “It is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” God said that. “Better that Jesus die.” Better. It was better than any other plan in the universe. Therefore, the death of Jesus was not mainly a tragic set of events which God turned for our good. It was a loving set of events which God planned for our good. He did not just predict it. He unleashed it. This word of prophecy tracked Jesus down into Gethsemane and put him under arrest. There was no escape. This was the word of God. “It is better that he die.” This is the good that God was working on our behalf! That kind of love is unimaginable; and, it is ours! Hold on! God knows what he is doing!