One man should die for the people

Bible Reading: John 11

John 11:49-50 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Caiaphas did not mean it the way that it happened. He meant that they should kill Jesus and not allow him to influence the people of Israel. The leaders of Jerusalem were afraid that Jesus would gather so much support that they would revolt against the Roman occupation. This would mean they would send more troops. It also meant that these men would loose their power status.

Either way the revolt turned out, these men were out. If the Romans came and put down a rebellion, these men would loose their places because they would be replaced. They were supposed to handle these kinds of things and never let them come to this point. If Jesus led a successful rebellion, they would loose their powerful positions because surely he would replace them with his loyal followers. This is their reasoning.

Isn't it amazing that someone could look at Jesus and what he was doing and say he needed to die? He needed to die to maintain the status quo. According to these men it was better to be occupied by the Romans and have their puppet power positions than to trust in the Messiah of Israel.

There are many like this today. They do not want a return to righteousness or to choose for godly direction if it means change. They are happy with their little corner of the world and will actually fight against righteousness in order to keep their little kingdom. Sad.

They would kill one man - Jesus, so that the nation would not perish. They were thinking politically. Jesus came to die for that nation and the whole world. His death would pay the price for all sin. Caiaphas spoke prophetically even though he did not know what it was he was saying!

Always remember - doing what's right is more important than who is right! It is worth it to follow Jesus even if it upsets the applecart! He died to save you from hell. He deserves our worship and our whole life!


In Christ,
Rody