Jesus is Essential
John 11:49–53: 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.
They begin to rationalize and say that Jesus should die rather than the nation die at the hand of Rome. It is interesting to note that although they did succeed in putting Jesus to death, in spite of this, the nation perished when Titus destroyed it in a.d. 70. We find a strange thing here: Caiaphas’ accurate prediction because he was high priest that year! Caiaphas was a scheming politician, who was also a mean rascal and the power behind the throne. That Caiaphas had the gift of prophecy should not fool us. Like Balaam in the Old Testament, this rascal could utter a true prophecy. 1
Walking with Jesus
There is a very strong movement in our nation today to put Jesus to death. No mention of Him in classes, on the sports field, or at the public assembly. They even removed His 10 Commandments from the court house. While the disgruntled are plotting, His disciples should be proclaiming. Will you proclaim His goodness to another person today? Make Him known, for there is very little time left.
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16:21
A proclaiming disciple lives out the meaning of a committed disciple.
Praying
Lord, please make me a bold spokesman for the Kingdom of God as a lifestyle.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
