Third Sunday of Lent : A Peculiar Choice (John 11:47-52)
Third Sunday of Lent
A Peculiar Choice
John 11:47-52
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 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 temple and our nation."
49 But one of them, 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; 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.
◇ The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a thorn in their side. They wanted to arrest him and silence him, but they were unable to do so. They were convening to find a way to eliminate him, seeking a means to save their own skin. They seemed to be trying to protect their homeland from the Romans, but their true intent was to satisfy their own greed. They were only interested in preserving their own power and privileges. There was no concern for the nation or for God. It was all about maintaining their own wealth and status.
Caiaphas, the high priest, suggested that they should save the nation by killing Jesus, pinning all the blame on him as a traitor to gain favor with the Romans. His plan was to keep the nation and the people as a colony of Rome, ensuring that they could continue to enjoy their wealth and status.
However, their words and plans led to an unexpected outcome. The death of Jesus was not just for their nation but for the salvation of all nations, something that was never part of the high priest's plan. It was something they could not have imagined.
John tells us that this was God's plan. God prophesied through the mouth of Caiaphas, the high priest, without his knowledge. God's greater plan was prophesied and fulfilled without the knowledge of Caiaphas or the other members of the Sanhedrin. Through Caiaphas, who did not even fear God, through the members of the Sanhedrin, and through the Roman governor, God accomplished His work.
Why would God choose someone like Caiaphas for such a significant task? Why would He accomplish His work through such a wicked person? God does not discriminate in carrying out His work. He uses admirable people like Saul, those who flee from Him like Jonah, foreign kings like Cyrus, tax collectors like Zacchaeus, and even a crippled man from birth. He also uses a young boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. And He certainly uses His beloved Son.
Let us not be disappointed in ourselves or become arrogant. No matter how flawed, lacking, or sinful we may be, if God plans it, we can be used for His work. No matter how talented we are, let us remain humble. Everything pales in comparison to God. Whether we are great or not, our only task is to serve with sincerity, truth, and wholehearted devotion. Regardless of our shortcomings, God will treasure our service as precious.
God, help us to not look at ourselves but to see You and serve with all our heart, soul, and strength. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.
A Peculiar Choice
John 11:47-52
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 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 temple and our nation."
49 But one of them, 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; 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.
◇ The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a thorn in their side. They wanted to arrest him and silence him, but they were unable to do so. They were convening to find a way to eliminate him, seeking a means to save their own skin. They seemed to be trying to protect their homeland from the Romans, but their true intent was to satisfy their own greed. They were only interested in preserving their own power and privileges. There was no concern for the nation or for God. It was all about maintaining their own wealth and status.
Caiaphas, the high priest, suggested that they should save the nation by killing Jesus, pinning all the blame on him as a traitor to gain favor with the Romans. His plan was to keep the nation and the people as a colony of Rome, ensuring that they could continue to enjoy their wealth and status.
However, their words and plans led to an unexpected outcome. The death of Jesus was not just for their nation but for the salvation of all nations, something that was never part of the high priest's plan. It was something they could not have imagined.
John tells us that this was God's plan. God prophesied through the mouth of Caiaphas, the high priest, without his knowledge. God's greater plan was prophesied and fulfilled without the knowledge of Caiaphas or the other members of the Sanhedrin. Through Caiaphas, who did not even fear God, through the members of the Sanhedrin, and through the Roman governor, God accomplished His work.
Why would God choose someone like Caiaphas for such a significant task? Why would He accomplish His work through such a wicked person? God does not discriminate in carrying out His work. He uses admirable people like Saul, those who flee from Him like Jonah, foreign kings like Cyrus, tax collectors like Zacchaeus, and even a crippled man from birth. He also uses a young boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. And He certainly uses His beloved Son.
Let us not be disappointed in ourselves or become arrogant. No matter how flawed, lacking, or sinful we may be, if God plans it, we can be used for His work. No matter how talented we are, let us remain humble. Everything pales in comparison to God. Whether we are great or not, our only task is to serve with sincerity, truth, and wholehearted devotion. Regardless of our shortcomings, God will treasure our service as precious.
God, help us to not look at ourselves but to see You and serve with all our heart, soul, and strength. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.