Scriptures: John 11:47-57
The Plot to Kill Jesus
John 11:45-57
Therefore many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.
47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. 48 If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”
51 Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
53 So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought for Jesus and spoke one with another, as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?”
57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
(Verses 45-48)
Yesterday we witnessed the greatest of all the miracles Jesus performed, i.e., raising Lazarus from the dead after being dead for 4 days. How did the people react?
We read that some Jews believed, but others went and told the religious leaders. (v46)
Now we see that these religious leaders were more interested in their own positions than acknowledge this amazing miracle. They knew it would mean more popularity for Jesus with people believing in him, which in turn would mean a Roman takeover of their temple (church) and nation (state). (v.47-48)
Oh what a sad thing to see when the leaders who should be protecting God’s people are more interested in protecting their own positions. And here they return good for evil.