The plot to kill Jesus

John 11:45~57

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.

I. Message:

Content:

1. Two types of reactions, belief and denunciation, from the Jews following the resurrection of Lazarus (v. 45~46)
2. The high priest and the Pharisees discuss about the miracles of Jesus and how these have brought many followers to Him (v. 47~48)
3. The high priest Caiaphas intended to persuade the council in killing Jesus but prophesied on His mission (v. 49~52)
4. The high priest and the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus (v. 53)
5. Jesus left Bethany, moved to Ephraim which was near desert and stayed with His disciples (v. 54)
6. Since the high priest and the Pharisees gave orders to report all clues on Jesus’ where about, the crowd that came to Jerusalem for the Passover were actively looking for Jesus (v. 55~57)

Themes:

1. The plot to kill Jesus

II. Who is God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus Christ, able to resurrect dead man (Lazarus) (v. 45)
2. Jesus Christ, worthy of trust/belief (v. 45)
3. Jesus Christ, able to perform miraculous signs (v. 47)
4. Jesus Christ gave up His life for all (v. 50~51)
5. Jesus Christ brings scattered children of God together and make them one (v. 51~52)
6. Jesus Christ, soon to be betrayed (v. 53, 57)

III. What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations and warnings)?

1. Two opposing reactions in the same event

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

The Jews that came to comfort Lazarus’ family saw the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus but had opposing reactions. Some believed; some did not believe and reported the resurrection to the religious leaders, becoming accomplice in plotting Jesus’ murder.

Reflections: if I were present, how would I have reacted? Would I have believed or denied the truth to the point of plotting murder against Him?

2. Selfish leaders

47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

Jesus came to care for people, to love, to heal, to drive out demons, to free people and to resurrect the dead! He made so much contribution and yet the religious leaders did not appreciate His work but rather grew weary. They were worried that Jesus’ popularity might draw too much attention to the point that Rome may have to step in and take away their authority. Therefore they wanted to get rid of Jesus as soon as possible. This is in sharp contrast to John the Baptist’s motto, “He must become greater; I must become less.”

Reflections: am I selfish in serving the Lord? If so, I must repent now!

3. Hidden dark power

Church exists to spread the Gospel and to bring people to the Lord so that the population under the rule of the dark power may be freed and live in light. However, at the time of Jesus, the religious leaders worried about their own interest and decided to persecute Jesus, including plotting His death. This group of people represent the dark power coming from Satan, which does oppose all progress in spreading the Gospel.

Reflections: have I noticed the hidden dark force/evil power invisible to us in all my services to the Lord? How can I be better equipped to defend myself? Have I been on the dark side?

4. A priest that follows the crowd and holds on to his power

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

Caiaphas was the high priest that year, a chosen servant of God. But he uttered words without consulting God and chose to please the council. He said, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man dies for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He meant that he agreed to kill Jesus so that Rome would not use this excuse to send over its army to crush them, taking away their power and possessions. Such a servant of God has neglected his duty!

Reflections: as a servant of the Lord, should I look for crowd’s approval? Or should I hold on to the principles in faith and look for God’s approval in all situations?

5. God is more powerful than human

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

Even though the high priest Caiaphas meant evil but prophesied God’s plan, which is Jesus’ mission to die for all sinners. He did not only die for all but also gathered the scattered children of God.

It’s clear that God is above human ways. For instance, Joseph was sold by his brothers but became the pivot of a saving plan. He was in charge of the entire Egypt and led the region, including Canaan, through seven years of drought.

Reflections: do I believe that no one can ever overcome God? Have I lived such an experience?

6. Retreat to a quiet place

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.

Jesus stayed away from Jerusalem in the midst of chaos and persecutions and moved to Ephraim to stay with His disciples. Jesus left because He knew His time had not yet come instead of fleeing from the danger. He chose to retreat to quiet place to renew His strength and to stay close to God.

Jesus often retreated to a quiet place during His years of evangelization. Sometimes He stayed alone; sometimes He brought with Him the three main apostles Peter, John and James. He did bring all His disciples to a quiet place as well. In other words, retreat to a quiet place and fervent prayers to God are major pieces of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

Reflections: do I look for God’s time always? Do I often retreat to a quiet place to be closer to God?Translated by 顏偉哲