Counsel to Put Jesus to Death - John 11:53

The apostle John wrote how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and afterward the chief priests and Pharisees asked, “What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifty-three of his book John shared, “from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death” where we read:

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

The verse reads, “Then from that day forth they took counsel together ...” John began with the words, “then from that day forth” which means “therefore, wherefore, consequently and on this account apart and separate from that sunrise to sunset forward”, “they took counsel together” or “the high priests and Pharisees consulted and deliberated with one another” to do the following. John shared how the “high priests” and “Pharisees” began to consult and deliberate together from the day “Caiaphas” made his proclamation about Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... for to put him to death.” John continued with the words, “for to put him” which means “in order to destroy, extinguish and inflict Jesus” “to death” which means “to be killed, slain and made without life”. John shared how the “religious leaders” deliberated to kill Jesus.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how the purpose and drive of the “high priests” and “Pharisees” became to “kill and destroy” Jesus. Can we imagine how fearful these people were who believed if Jesus continued His ministry, everyone would believe in Him and they would lose their power and positions? This, as strange as it may seem, was God's plan of “salvation” for mankind. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to pay the price of death for the sins of everyone, and when they submit their lives to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Though these religious leaders “deliberated” to destroy Jesus, their plans only served to bring “salvation” to all mankind.

Next time John shares, “Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".