Scripture: Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 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.
Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
John 11:45-57 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus arrives at the cave where Lazarus’ body lies and commands the able-bodied men to roll away the stone, but pragmatic Martha cautions Jesus about the odor wafting from a four-day-old corpse. Thus, Jesus reminds Martha of their earlier conversation and his promise that, by faith, she would see the glory of God. After this brief exchange, the men roll the stone away, and Jesus lifts his eyes toward heaven and prays intimately with his Father, giving thanks. He thanks God for listening to him (as he always does) and for the eyewitnesses who will soon believe he comes from God. Then, with a loud voice of authority, Jesus commands Lazarus to come out of the cave, and he does, still wrapped in strips of burial linen. So Jesus orders the men to unbind Lazarus and “let him go.”
Today’s reading concludes the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, with the ensuing fallout with the Pharisees. John tells us that many believed (implying that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah), but some loyal to the Pharisees hurried to report all that happened. Panicking over Jesus’ growing following of Jews and how it could lead to Rome repressing this seeming revolution, they were most concerned about losing their position of leadership and their status as a nation. So Caiaphas (the high priest that year) silences his colleagues and argues that one man should die rather than a nation perish. John then interjects that Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied what would unfold.
Thus, this secret meeting sets in motion plans to execute Jesus. But Jesus still has other work to do before fulfilling his mission in Jerusalem at Passover, so he retreats to Ephraim near the wilderness region and will later return for the celebration. John adds that the people gathered in the temple were abuzz about whether Jesus would show himself at the feast and that the Pharisees had ordered the people to report Jesus’ whereabouts so that they could arrest him.
Geographical note: Ephraim no longer exists but is believed to be the modern city of Et Taiyibeh, a few miles northeast of Bethel on the edge of the Judean desert. Its location would provide a quick exit to the wilderness.
Takeaway: Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, who is mentioned later at Jesus’ trial. Annas served as high priest from 7 to 14 CE, and three of Annas’ sons succeeded him, followed by Caiaphas from 18 to 36 CE. Caiaphas demonstrated duplicity throughout his tenure, as demonstrated here by speaking magnanimously for the nation’s welfare while being most concerned about his security as a ruling priest of Israel. Still, God used Caiaphas and his leaders to accomplish a greater good that far exceeded any of the Pharisees’ understanding because of their pride and arrogance. Indeed, John tells his audience that the plan is much bigger than saving Jews, for Jesus’ death will redeem “the children of God who are scattered abroad” (hinting at the Gentiles).
Regarding Caiaphas’ unwitting prophecy, this unique event (found only in John’s Gospel) reminds us that God will speak through even those opposed to his plan. Paul picks up on this truth in his letter to the Romans: ‘For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth”‘ ‘(Romans 9:17 ESV).
Our takeaway and part? There are a couple. First, we must not dismiss people who speak with a prophetic voice about the body of Christ because they are not believers. It is perilous to do so without discerning whether they pronounce words of wisdom or correction that align with Scripture. Throughout our two thousand years of church history, when church leaders have compromised their integrity, God has sometimes spoken through outsiders to expose our blind spots and secrets. Consider that in our day, the secular media has prophetically critiqued our Western church and its leaders for sexual misconduct and other abusive and neglectful behaviors that otherwise remained hidden.
Secondly, this story speaks to God’s sovereignty in fulfilling his Covenant of Grace. What appears to be a hopeless disaster proves to be the master plan. Caiaphas and his cronies will seem to win the day for themselves and the nation, but, in actuality, they will serve God’s supreme purpose, just like Pharaoh did for Israel. So when the bad guys seem to have the upper hand and our future feels hopeless, we need to hold fast to our faith and remember that no one or nothing can snatch us from the grip of the Father and Son (10:28-29) and that we know the end of this epic narrative: we win! (Revelation 20:7-15).
Prayer: Father God, we praise your name, for you are sovereign over all the machinations of humankind! As the supreme example, we confess and thank you for your Son, who saved us from the penalty of sin with his sacrificial death, and for your Holy Spirit, who rescues us from the power of sin here and now, and again for your Son, who will deliver us from the presence of sin when he returns. Meanwhile, please help us remain open to how you might speak through unbelievers to garner our attention when we need to make course corrections by humbly listening to the provocations of your Holy Spirit as we discern whether others’ words align with Scripture. And please help us to trust in your protection and welfare with the knowledge of how our fallen world’s story will end. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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