The Wickedness Against Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all,
nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?”
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
Intro:
Intro:
AG:
TS: In the aftermath of Jesus’ great miracle of raising Lazarus who had been dead for 4 days, we again see a divided reaction
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
The sign did what it was designed to do: Announced Jesus as Messiah and many believed
On the other hand, the Pharisees get word of it and realize they had to act now or it would be too late.
But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
I can almost hear malicious intent
They couldn’t wait to carry the word back to the Pharisees and stir the pot of controversy
Today, we focus on that meeting. When we begin studying chapter 12, we will be in the last week of Jesus’ Earthly ministry
RS:
The Problem (11:45-48)
The Problem (11:45-48)
A. The Council
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
The Pharisees call a meeting to discuss the attention Jesus is receiving because of His miracles.
This meeting was most likely a meeting of the Sanhedrin, or portion thereof
it contained chief priests (former High-priests and members of High-Priestly families), and the Pharisees
The Pharisees could not themselves take any judicial action against Jesus.
They were the highest judicial body in Israel, but they were still under Roman control and carrying out judgment would ultimately rely on Roman authorities.
In the Jesus’ day, the 70 member Sanhedrin was dominated by the chief priests and virtually all of them were Sadducees.
There was an ongoing conflict between the the Pharisees and Sadducees, but their shared hatred of Jesus united them to act.
B. The Concern
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
They agreed in rejecting Jesus as Messiah
There is no evidence in the gospels which indicate they ever really considered this option
They had made up their minds and didn’t even discuss this.
They feared His acceptance
If we leave Him alone, EVERYONE will believe in Him
This screams jealousy to me!
They couldn’t stand it that Jesus had believers!
They had rejected Him, so they reasoned that all should
They are afraid this will bring the wrath of the Romans down upon them
They feared that escalating messianic expectations could start a movement against the Roman Empire
They thought of Messiah as ultimately a political figure (THUS a big mistake!)
What has always puzzled me:
They wanted freedom and a king (supposedly)
Yet even when they have one who could be their version of Messiah, they didn’t want Him to rock the boat!
Why?
Why reject one who could meet their expectations?
They would rather keep the peace than find freedom
Politically
Spiritually
Fear kept them trapped
AP: Decisions made out of fear are OFTEN wrong
Fear can make us too timid
We fail to act when we need to act
stay silent when we should speak up
stay still when we should act
Fear can make us defensive
In this mood, we make poor decisions
We won’t act in faith, when crippled by fear.
The Prophecy (11:49-52)
The Prophecy (11:49-52)
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all,
nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
The high priest Caiaphas
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
. Caiaphas became High-Priest ca. A.D. 18, being appointed by the Roman prefect, Valerius Gratus. His father-in-law was Annas, who had previously functioned in that same position from ca. A.D. 7–14 and who exercised great influence over the office even after his tenure (see 18:12–14). Caiaphas remained in office until A.D. 36 when, along with Pontius Pilate, he was removed by the Romans. He took a leading part in the trial and condemnation of Jesus. In his court or palace, the chief priests (Sadducees) and Pharisees assembled “and plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him” (see Mt 26:3, 4).
Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
The prophetic word v 50
one man can die for the people
He meant Jesus should die to spare their positions and nation from Roman reprisals.
He was unwittingly using sacrificial and substitutionary language
What said was more accurate then he knew
He prophesied the death of Christ on behalf of sinners
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
The Source
God
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
The responsibility for the wicked meaning of his words belonged to Caiaphas, but God’s providence directed the choice of words so as to express the heart of God’s glorious plan of salvation
He was used by God as a prophet because He was the High-Priest.
Originally, The High Priest was meant to represent God and speak for Him.
The position had deteriorated into a political position.
The Scope
and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
In context:
Referred to Jews of the dispersion who would be gathered to the promised land
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;
In wider sense:
anticipated the Gentile mission
Christ’s death and resurrection brought Jew and Gentile into one group, the church
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Jesus’ sacrifice makes us 1
The Plot (11:53-57)
The Plot (11:53-57)
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?”
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
From that day on they start plotting and working to kill Jesus
Their plan
Their course was set, Jesus was to be killed
They had already decided He committed blasphemy
They were not interested in justice.
Jesus’ withdrawal
He and His disciples leave Judea briefly and retire to a village called Ephraim
Most likely a town 4 mi NE of Bethel which was about 12 mi from Jerusalem
The Passover speculation
As Passover approaches, people wonder about Jesus
This is the 3rd and final Passover mentioned in John. It was to be His last during His earthly ministry.
The people were abuzz with talk of Jesus
Probably some were ready to inform to the authorities and others were seeking Him sincerely
The situation was coming to a head and was to be resolved in a few days.
Concl
Concl
We have seen so much in this text today
The danger of jealousy and fear
The awesome power of God:
as He used an enemy to prophesy.
As he