John the apostle wrote how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and afterward, “many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, 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 in chapter eleven and verse fifty-one of his book John shared how Caiaphas, “spoke he not of himself” but that “Jesus should die for that nation” where we read:
And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year,
he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
The verse reads, “And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, ...” John began with the words, “and this spoke he not of himself” which means “and Caiaphas was not speaking about his own self”: “but being high priest” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover existing as the chief and principal priest” “that year” which means “that particular year” took the following action. John shared how “Caiaphas” did not make his proclamation about himself, but since he was the “high priest” that particular year, he spoke the following words.
The verse goes on to say, “... he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;” John continued with the words, “he prophesied” which means “he, Caiaphas, spoke forth by divine inspiration with the idea of foretelling future events pertaining to the kingdom of God” “that Jesus should die” which means “that the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate would be slain and put to death” “for that nation” or “on behalf of that particular multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus”. John shared how “Caiaphas” was “speaking forth by divine inspiration” concerning the fate of Jesus who would be put to death for the “nation” of Israel.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how “Caiaphas” was sharing words that even he did not understand. Because he was in the “high priest” position, “Caiaphas” was “inspired” by God to proclaim the truth of the death of Jesus. Not only would Jesus die for the nation of Israel, but also for the whole world. God loves people, and without a “Savior” they would die in their sins and be forever separated from Him. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to be “slain” for the sins of all mankind, and anyone who believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Yes, Jesus would indeed die, but He would also be raised from the dead three days later so all who believe in Him may receive eternal life from His Father God.
Next time John shares how Caiaphas said, “and not for that nation only, but that he should gather together in one the children of God”, 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".
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