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Jesus MUST Die - John 11
Jesus MUST Die - John 11
Amazing. Jesus simply spoke and Lazarus was raised from the dead. Many of the people seeing him alive, believed that Jesus was the Son of God (John 12:9-11). This posed a problem for the unbelieving Jewish leaders. Seeing so many people believing in Jesus, they gathered the Jewish council together and stated: "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs” (John 11:47).
I am always a bit perplexed at this. What are we going to do? Believe! Lazarus was one of many ‘signs’. No one could do such signs unless God be with Him - such was the conclusion of Nicodemus and the blind man of chapter 9. Even the people reasoned: "When the Christ comes, would he do more miracles than this?" (John 7:31).
Instead of the obvious, they opt for personal bias: "it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (vs. 50). Even in this they reasoned incorrectly. Jesus' kingdom was not of this world and His disciples would not wage physical / material war with Rome (John 18:36). Many false Christ’s DID try to incite a rebellion against Rome, but that was NOT Jesus’ teaching.
It is interesting though that in their ignorance they did state the truth: 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” (vs. 51-52). Peter said: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).
Again: "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled” (Acts 3:17)
Both Peter and Caiaphas were used by God to accomplish His plan and purpose. Peter was used and BLESSED in such by obeying. Caiaphas was used but CONDEMNED for such stubborn rebellion. So it is. All of us have a choice, not of being used but of being blessed or condemned. I think I like Peter’s choice best.
Hugh DeLong
