Sentenced to Death for Giving Life

Text:

Text: John 11:45-57

Introduction

Attention Getter: Several years ago I was involved in a Strategic Plan process...

Or something about being a planner and in being a planner you need to take in consideration the plan itself, the time of the plan - when is it going to happen and then the place. You must know where this thing is going to happen!

Significance: God, since before the foundations of the earth has laid out a Plan of Rescue for the World. This was not a haphazard plan or a sloppily executed plan. No, our Heavenly Father is astounding. He is the Grand Chess player who can never be bested. He is the Grand Architect who has not forgotten one seemingly insignificant detail. He delights in confounding the supposed wise people of any age.

Simply put, God, with all the sinful distractions this world has had and continues to have, cannot distract God from His loving plan of redemption. Our sin does not frustrate Him. We cannot knock Him off track. He has and will continue to accomplish His will. The restoration of all things is an inevitable reality. And for those of us here this morning, this truth makes our hearts full of excitement for that day!

· Main Idea: Our Sinful Choices Will Not Change God’s Loving Plan

· Preview:

God Chose the Plan

God Chose the Time

God Chose the Place

· Transition into Main Point:

There is no question the brilliance of humanity. We have put a man on the moon, we have created complex cities and build edifices that are simply breathtaking. When we set our mind to something, we can accomplish much. This is thanks to the fact that we have been created in God’s image.

But as creative as we are, we could have never come up with the plan of redemption that God has. God has offered redemption and he chose the way it would happen.

John 11:45–53 ESV

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.

In our text this morning we see yet another step in the process of Jesus accomplishing our redemption.

John 11:45–46 ESV

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.

John 11:45 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

John 11:45 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

John 11:45–53 ESV

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.

Remember, Jesus has just raised His friend Lazarus from the dead! As you can imagine, after such an amazing miracle performed by Jesus, many were absolutely blown away and the believed that this man was the Messiah! I would like to think that if I were there at the time and skeptical about this man from Galilee, that this miracle would have pushed me over the “faith” ledge and I would have believed.

What I find unbelievable and even incomprehensible, is that some could walk away from such a momentous event and not only not believe, but be willing to pursue the harm of the One who created them and gave them life. But John tells us that is exactly what some of them did.

John 11:46 ESV

but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

John 11:45 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

Well, the chief priests as well as the Pharisees gathered the council together...

What does this mean? -

By the way, What is this council?

Council - “The highest court of the Jews during Jesus’ time, composed of 71 members from the priests, scribes, and “elders of the people,” and presided over by the high priest. Traditionally the council (Gk. synédrion) was thought to have begun with Moses () and revived under Ezra. It tried all infractions of the law of Moses...”

The highest court of the Jews during Jesus’ time, composed of 71 members from the priests, scribes, and “elders of the people,” and presided over by the high priest. Traditionally the council (Gk. synédrion) was thought to have begun with Moses () and revived under Ezra. It tried all infractions of the law of Moses

Joe E. Lunceford, “Council,” ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 288.What does this mean?

And as the council gathered they were posed the question that had been asked many times over the course of Jesus’ ministry. “What are we going to do about this guy, Jesus? He was a thorn in their side, to say the least. He challenged them at every turn. He wasn’t afraid of them and He told them the truth. Of course, they didn’t like it, but that didn’t stop the Lord.

But notice why they were asking this question according to the next verse...

John 11:47 ESV

So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.

They were frustrated with Jesus because He “performs many signs, AKA Miracles including the last one which caused many to believe. And they simply could not have that! And do you know why? Look at verse 48...

John 11:48 ESV

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.”

They need to get rid of Jesus before everyone believes Him...

They need to get rid of Jesus before the Romans, who are in power, take their little circle of power away! In their twisted, unbelieving mind, they think they have some measure of control. What a load of irony! The Romans are not in control, the Council is not in control, God is in control! They are being used by God to accomplish the greatest act of Love this world has ever seen!

But then, the High Priest speaks...

High Priest

One in charge of the temple (or tabernacle) worship. A number of terms are used to refer to the high priest: the priest (); the anointed priest (); the priest who is chief among his brethren (); chief priest (); and high priest ().

Responsibilities and Privileges The high priesthood was a hereditary office based on descent from Aaron (; ). Normally, the high priest served for life (; ; , ; ), though as early as Solomon’s reign a high priest was dismissed for political reasons ()...The high priest shared in general priestly duties. Only the high priest, however, was allowed to enter the holy of holies and then only on the Day of Atonement (). See Day of Atonement.

Chris Church, “High Priest,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 762. Chris Church, “High Priest,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 762.

The high priest shared in general priestly duties. Only the high priest, however, was allowed to enter the holy of holies and then only on the Day of Atonement (). See Day of Atonement.

Chris Church, “High Priest,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 762.

Chris Church, “High Priest,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 762. Chris Church, “High Priest,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 762.

And this High Priest, no fan of Jesus, is used by God to speak about the death of Jesus.

Now the interesting thing here is that I do not believe Caiaphas fully understood what he was saying. Or perhaps a better way of thinking about this is that God Had a different meaning for what Caiaphas said than Caiaphas? Which is really funny considering he accused the rest of the council when he said, “You know nothing at all.” He went on to say...

John 11:50 ESV

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.”

Now, I believe Caiaphas was speaking in regard to the Council’s worry about Rome coming in and destroying them as a nation. Why would they be worried about this?

Remember, what doe the word, Messiah mean? King.

There was only one recognized King at the time and that king was Caesar! And to the Romans, Caesar was God. No one dared declare themselves King in a land where Rome was in charge.

So for the Jews to “believe Jesus was Messiah”, meant they saw him as king. This would surely invite the wrath of Caesar and Rome on Jerusalem. And his wrath would be the death knell for any continued power the Pharisee’s currently enjoyed.

So Caiaphas’ recommendation to the Council? Kill Jesus! Get him out of the way! Kill the one who is claiming to be king. Kill the One who is the serious threat to our comfortable way of life. Kill the One who will take our power away.

And in His counsel to the council, Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied about the death of Christ.

John 11:51 ESV

He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,

John 11:51–52 ESV

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.

John

What Caiaphas didn’t realize was his Words, rightly understood, were their only real hope! God would use them to kill the author of life so that they would have their only opportunity to truly live!

What Caiaphus didn’t realize was his Words, rightly understood, were their only real hope! God would use them to kill the author of life so that they would have their only opportunity to truly live!

Jesus would die for the nation of Israel, not to save them from Rome’s wrath but from God’s wrath!

In fact John make it clear that this was bigger than them (Israel) altogether.

John 11:52 ESV

and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

“Children of God who are scattered abroad.” Who are the children of God who are scattered abroad? I believe He is referring to those who were yet to hear, believe and respond to the Gospel call. In other words, other Jews that were outside of Israel due to the “Diaspora”.

Diaspora - The geographic and cultural spread of the Hebrew people and/or the Jewish religion and culture over time.

The geographic and cultural spread of the Hebrew people and/or the Jewish religion and culture over time.

This is the understanding that for centuries the Jews had been dispersed throughout the world because of the exiles they endured.

Jon L. Berquist, “Dispersion,” ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 349.This is the understanding that for centuries the Jews had been dispersed throughout the world because of the exiles they endured.

In fact, it is said that there were more Jews in the entire Roman Empire than in Israel. These “dispersed” Jews would need to hear about the Christ and come to faith. And, of course the gentiles that would also be saved in the future…that means you!

So when Caiphas spoke these few words, he said a mouthful! I am positive He had no idea He was talking about you. But God did!

God’s design was for One man to pay the sin debt for all mankind for all time.

1 John 2:2 CSB

He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

Isn’t this wonderful? Jesus Christ went to the cross to pay your sin debt that you could never hope to pay outside of spending eternity in Hell. He took on Hell for you. And, if you are in Christ, He paid your debt in full so you are now free.

Listen to Caiphas’ words again...

John 11:50 ESV

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.”

Notice their response...

John 11:53 ESV

So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

JOhn 11:

And this was all part of God’s master plan. He would use these hardened Jews who were determined to hold onto their power at all cost, even if it meant an unlawful murder of an innocent person (Jesus).

Yet God was behind it all. God’s plan, from the foundation of the earth, was absolutly necessary in order to give the opportunity for people to be rescued from the wrath of God!

Application – I’m not sure what you are dealing with right now but I do know that sometimes we can fell like we are all alone. The trials of life seem so overwhelming, there is no logical way out. Let me encourage you this morning. The same God who developed this intricate plan of rescue for us is the same God who promises to never leave you nor forsake you. Which too, is part of His plan!

b. Promise to claim?

c. Example to follow?

d. Command to obey?

e. Knowledge to know?

What’s your plan?

Illustrations - John Piper wrote a book that I so appreciated several years ago called “The Hidden Smile of God” In the book he does a biography of John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd. Three servants of God whose lives were marked by trials of various kinds. Piper says, “John Bunyan suffered long-term imprisonment, even when a simple promise to cease preaching would have freed him, and he was moved to rely on God even more. Despite month after month of debilitating depression, William Cowper’s poetry reflected the sustaining character of God and led him to worship more deeply. David Brainerd so desired to honor God that, through the loneliness of wilderness ministry and the agony of tuberculosis, he pressed on, transforming world missions forever.

Three men who suffered for the sake of others, who suffered to fulfill God’s plan.

Whatever you are going through, realize that God not only is using it in your life, but He is using it to further His Kingdom and church.

Transition -

John Bunyan suffered long-term imprisonment, even when a simple promise to cease preaching would have freed him, and he was moved to rely on God even more. Despite month after month of debilitating depression, William Cowper’s poetry reflected the sustaining character of God and led him to worship more deeply. David Brainerd so desired to honor God that, through the loneliness of wilderness ministry and the agony of tuberculosis, he pressed on, transforming world missions forever.Transition -

Explanation – God’s plan is linked to His timing and His timing is beautiful.

God Chose the Plan!

John 11:54 ESV

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.

Explanation – God’s plan is linked to His timing and His timing is beautuful.

Galatians 4:4 ESV

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

“Pax Romana which is Latin for "Roman Peace" was a time, as the name suggests, a long period of peace and minimal military expansion from 27 BC to about 180 AD (206 years). The main importance was that all of the land surrounding the Mediterranean was at peace because everyone was under Roman Law.” (

Roman Road System - Helped the Romans prosper with an ease for trade and aided in Pax Romana because the military enjoyed ease of access. The benefit for christianity would be for the ease of travel and distribution of the gospel.

God’s timing is impeccable! He does what He does, when He does it for His good purposes.

Psalm 115:3 ESV

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Having said that, there is no better purpose for Him to interject His plan into our sin cursed world than when He did.

Jesus came at the right time and guided by the Providential Hand of the most High, Jesus was now coming to the end of His incarnate stay on this earth.

The Crucifixtion was looming and He knew it. However, from our text, we understand that the Jews wanted Him dead now. And so, strategically, wisely, He yet again gave them the slip and decided to spend His time elsewhere.

John 11:54 ESV

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.

The little village of Ephraim was about 15 miles north of Jerusalem and provided Him a place of rest. The wilderness of Judea was also nearby incase He needed a quick place to escape.

Map of Ephraim

The little village of Ephraim was about 15 miles north of Jerusalem and provided Him a place of rest. The wilderness of Judea was also nearby incase He needed a quick place to escape.

Why would this be necessary? Because it was not yet His time to die. It was getting close. We are within weeks of the crucifixion and His death would need to be done on a cross at the precise time.

Why would this be necessary? Because it was not yet His time to die. It was getting close. We are within weeks of the crucifixion and His death would be accomplished on a cross at the precise time.

Ray Vanderlann said this about the Passover and the death of Jesus...

Passover Lamb - “The high priest's practice of killing the Passover Lamb had been in force for hundreds, perhaps a thousand years.On Friday of the year Jesus died, the Jews celebrated Passover and killed a lamb for the temple sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, died at that same time in order to take our sins upon himself.”

What does this mean? -

Folks, understand that this example is but one of hundreds that God provided to prove He is a God of His Word. The picture of the Old Testament Sacrificial system resolved itself in Jesus, the Lamb, hanging on the Old Rugged Cross.

The high priest's practice of killing the Passover Lamb had been in force for hundreds, perhaps a thousand years.On Friday of the year Jesus died, the Jews celebrated Passover and killed a lamb for the temple sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, died at that same time in order to take our sins upon himself.What does this mean? -

There was nothing random or haphazard about the end of Jesus life. It would culminate at an on the cross.

No amount of sin. No amount of rebellion. No amount of evil would keep Him from the cross. How ironic that is was the unrestrained evil of men’s hearts that were determined to get Him there!!

What does this mean? - God did everything He could, without going contrary to His character, to provide salvation for all of us in this room. He planned and executed His plan, down to the last detail. Even to the exact minute.

Application – The question I have for you this morning is, what are you doing with these facts? With the fact that God created and implimented His plan? And that it happened just at the right time. That He died in your place?

o Sin to avoid?

o Promise to claim?

o Example to follow?

o Command to obey?

o Knowledge to know?

What’s your plan?

Illustrations - When you tell a joke, timing is everything. When you fail in your timing, the joke fails.

God’s timing was impeccable with His redemption plan. If you take the time to study this for yourself, you too will be in awe of God!

Don’t be like the Jewish leadership! Notice the intricate details of His plan to rescue you!

Transition - Our Sinful Choices Will Not Change God’s Loving Plan

God Chose the Plan

God Chose the Time

John 11:55–57 ESV

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 11:55–56 ESV

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?”

The Passover was at hand and this was the last, strategically timed Passover that Jesus would participate in.

This is the third Passover mentioned in John and the last in Jesus’ earthly ministry at which His sacrificial death occurred. - John MacArthur Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible

In fact, as we said, He was the acctual Passover Lamb that the first Passover pictured way back in the book of Exodus.

John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible

The Passover is when God promised to “passover” the homes of those who spread the blood of the lamb on their doors. Those who obeyed and did this, God promised to “passover” and spare the firstborn son of the home.

Exodus 12:1–6 ESV

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.

Exodus 12:1–7 ESV

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.

Exodus 12:11–14 ESV

In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

Exodus 12:14 ESV

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

Jesus, the Passover Lamb was killed and His blood was spread to protect us from God’s wrath. But like the Jews of old, we have a choice to apply it, not to our doors, but to our hearts.

John tells us that Passover was just around the corner and so many of the Jews made the trek from their home to Jerusalem, the epicenter of worship for the Jew. They left in time to purify themselves ()

Again, God chose the time and the place for the upcoming crucifixion and for good reason. It would be the grand portrait of centuries of prophecies that lonely six hours one Friday!

In verses 56-57, John tells us that the crowds were looking for Jesus? He was all the buzz. He was the religious rock start of the day. First of all He had a history of teaching during national festivals like this one. And, of course, His teachings never lacked controversy.

But second, He had just raised Lazarus from the dead. And even thought there was no email, texting or social media of any kind, word spread across the land, like wildfire! This man who claims to be Messiah just raised someone from the dead! Can you imagine? If you were Jewish and you were longing for your king to take over and restore the Jewish kingdom to her former glory? Would you want a powerful king? So powerful He could raise people from the dead? You would never lose a war!

They were looking for Jesus. They were hoping to see the one who might be the Messiah. The one they had waited for, for so long.

But not everyone was excited for Jesus.

John 11:57 ESV

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.

The leadership’s anger is growing to a fevered pitch. Why? because He can heal the lame, give sight to the blind or hearing to the deaf? Because He has compassion on the lost like a shepherd does for one of his sheep who wanders off? No, they are angry and want Him gone because He stands in the way of their desires. They want to maintain their power and prestige. They refuse to give up their position even it it means that they kill a truly innocent man.

What does this mean? - They hated Jesus and wanted Him gone.

Application – Is there anything in this for us?

Perhaps you are intrigued with Jesus...

b. Promise to claim?

Maybe you have dismissed Jesus?

Maybe some hate Jesus too?

c. Example to follow?

Whatever the case, you cannot ignore Jesus.

d. Command to obey?

e. Knowledge to know?

God loves you so much that He instituted a plan before time to give you the opportunity to be rescued from His eternal wrath. And it happened 2000 years ago on a little peace of land. If you are looking at a map, this piece of land can be covered by a postage stamp. Yet it was this place that God changed His world. It was this place, on a hill of execution, that Jesus the innocent died for the guilty! “MY GOD MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” was His cry.

And the simple answer is? It was His loving plan of rescue.

Illustrations -

Transition - Our Sinful Choices Will Not Change God’s Loving Plan

A. Explanation –

B. What does this mean? -

C. Application –

a. Sin to avoid?

b. Promise to claim?

c. Example to follow?

d. Command to obey?

God Chose the Plan

e. Knowledge to know?

D. What’s your plan?

E. Illustrations -

Transition -

5. Point 5 (vs.00)

A. Explanation –

B. What does this mean? -

C. Application –

a. Sin to avoid?

God Chose the Time

b. Promise to claim?

c. Example to follow?

God Chose the Place

d. Command to obey?

e. Knowledge to know?

D. What’s your plan?

E. Illustrations -

Transition -

If nothing else this morning it is my hope that you are inspired that the God of the universe orchestrated an amazing plan that used the sinful hearts of certain people to kill the author of Life. In the weeks to come we will see more and more of this truth. In the mean time, be in awe of God’s plan. Be amazed at His impeccable timing and recognize the profound significance of the place our Savior died.

B. Response - What difference does this passage mean to me?

C. Final Statement

Sentenced to Death for Giving Life

Title: Sentenced to Death for Giving Life

1. God Chose the Plan (vs. 45-53)

2. God Chose the Time (vs. 54)

God Chose the Place (vs. 54)

3. God Chose the Place (vs. 55-57)

3. God Chose the Place (vs. 55-57)

Conclusion

Conclusion (Last 5 Minutes)