John the apostle wrote how, “the high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask you me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answer you the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-four of his book John shared how Jesus said to the officer, “Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest” where we read:
Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
The verse reads, “Now Annas had sent him bound ...” John began with the words, “Now Annas” which means “at that time and moment Annas whose name means humble and was the high priest of the Jews, elevated to the priesthood by Quirinius the governor of Syria c. 6 or 7 A.D” “had sent him bound” or “ordered and dismissed him, Jesus, tied and fastened with chains”. John shared how the “high priest” named “Annas” dismissed Jesus tied and fastened with chains from himself.
The verse goes on to say, “... unto Caiaphas the high priest.” John continued with the words, “unto Caiaphas” or “to Caiaphas whose name means as comely” “the high priest” which means “the a high priest of the Jews appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after removal of Simon, son of Camith, A.D. 18, and was removed A.D. 36 by Vitellius, governor of Syria”. John shared how Jesus was sent by “Annas” to “Caiaphas” who was the “chief priest” who was appointed to serve over the people of the Jewish nation.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how “Annas” deferred his judgment of Jesus to “Caiaphas” who was the current “high priest”. In other words, there was a succession of “high priestly” office, and “Caiaphas” was the “high priest” over the Jews at this time. We can imagine how humiliating it was for Jesus bound with chains to be carried from place to place and person to person to be tried by them even though He came to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world. God's love for people caused Him to send His Son Jesus into the world to “save” them from their sins. This would allow them to be in a personal relationship with God, and they will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life in Heaven with Him. Let all who read these words use their imaginations and see the great lengths to which Jesus went to provide “salvation” for their souls.
Next time John shares how, “Simon Peter stood and warmed himself”, 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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