Reading: John chapter 11 verses
Ill:
• Many years ago a young man from an distinguished family;
• Applied to a renowned bank for employment.
• The bank wrote to one of the references given by the young man;
• And he received this reply.
• “We simply cannot say enough about the young man.
• His father, they wrote, was a Rothchild; his mother was a Windsor.
• Further back was a happy blend of Spencers, Mountbatton’s,
• And other of England’s first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation.”
• Several days later, the bank sent a note saying;
• The information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read:
• “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes.
• Just for work!”
Quote: Peter once said in one of his speeches (Acts chapter 10 verses 34-35):
“Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts those from every family, nation, and race who fear Him and work for His kingdom”.
Our title this morning is ‘The Nepotism of Caiaphas’.
• The word ‘nepotism’ comes from the Latin (‘nepotes’);
• And means ‘nephews’.
Ill:
• The word came to prominence in the Middle Ages;
• When the word was applied to the so-called ‘nephews’ of the Pope.
• These ‘nephews’ were actually his illegitimate children.
• And because of who their father was, they were given honours in public life.
• In time the word expanded and came to mean favouritism in public life towards relatives;
• And it has featured in the public life of every country.
• Always has done always will do!
• Saying; “It’s not WHAT you know that counts but WHO you know”
Ill:
• Like every coin nepotism has two sides to it;
• A good one and a bad one!
(A). THE GOOD SIDE TO NEPOTISM:
• It is a very natural thing to do.
• Caring for your own kith and kin is natural.
• We use the saying ‘blood is thicker than water’.
• According to 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 8;
• It is a biblical thing to do.
• God set us in families that we might support, help and encourage one another.
(B). THE BAD SIDE TO NEPOTISM:
• Is when public funds and public office are misused;
• Bending the rules in regards to family members.
• Or when a persons partiality to a family member excludes others;
• Who are more competent or have greater ability at a task or job.
• Ill: Missionaries find this a problem in countries like Africa.
• Culture says you look after family first.
• Christian leaders should NOT appoint elders, deacons or other leaders;
• Because they are family,
• They should only are appointed;
• If they are gifted or qualify to the requirements of scripture!
Caiaphas is a classic example of bad nepotism;
• Of someone who missed used his power and position in a nepotistic way:
• We see that illustrated each time he is mentioned.
• Caiaphas is only mentioned by name in three New Testament situations:
• (1). At the raising of Lazarus (John chapter 11 verses 49-53).
• (2). At the trial of Jesus (Matthew chapter 26 verses 57-58, John chapter 18 verse 24).
• (3). At the trial of Peter and John (Acts chapter 4)
(1). Caiaphas & his family.
• We know from secular historical records more than the New Testament record;
• Concerning Caiaphas’ background.
• We know that Caiaphas was a very successful man in his day.
• He was born of the tribe of Levi,
• From the times of Moses and Aaron this tribe,
• Was chosen for the priesthood and for service in the temple.
As was the norm, Caiaphas married a Levite woman:
• It may have been for love;
• But it was probably more for political and financial reasons!
• The woman Caiaphas married was part of Israel’s most influential family;
• We are told she was the daughter of the High Priest, Annas.
Now there should only have been one high priest:
• That was God’s instruction in the Old Testament.
• But under Roman rule there were two high priests:
Ill:
• That is because the Romans had become disenchanted with Annas,
• Caring nothing for Jewish procedure & history, they simply removed and replaced him.
• Then they offered the office of High Priest to the highest bidder every year.
• (It was a kind of a first century Ebay appointment!)
• Quote: Josephus, the Jewish historian tells us:
• “That Annas was a great hoarder of money” – he was loaded!
• Annas may have been removed from his official position by Rome;
• He would make sure that one of his family got the job.
• Ill: History records that Annas, his five sons and one son-in-law, all held that position;
• This family dominated Jewish political life for half a century.
Quote: Josephus, the Jewish historian put it like this:
“They say that this elder was most fortunate for he had five sons, and it happened that they all held the office of the high priest of God, and he himself had enjoyed that dignity a long time before. This had never happened to any other of our high priests.”
So as we pick up the story in the gospels there are two High Priests:
• The unofficial Jewish High Priest was Annas;
• And the Roman replacement was Caiaphas (the son in-law of Annas)
• Although Caiaphas held public office;
• Annas continued to be the power behind the throne.
(2). Caiaphas & his occupation.
• As high priest and chief religious authority in the land,
• Caiaphas had many important responsibilities,
• Which included controlling the Temple treasury,
• Managing the Temple police and other personnel,
• Performing religious rituals,
• And as we encounter him in the gospels he served as president of the Sanhedrin,
• The Sanhedrin was the Jewish council and court;
• That carefully thought and planned out the case against and trial of Jesus.
The high priest had another, more controversial function in first-century Jerusalem:
• He served as a sort of liaison between Roman authority and the Jewish population.
• And Rome looked to high priests to keep the Jewish populace in line.
• High Priests including Annas & Caiaphas,
• Were both respected and despised by the Jewish population.
• As the highest religious authority,
• They were seen as playing a critical role in religious life and the Sanhedrin.
• At the same time, however,
• Many Jews resented the close relationship they maintained with Roman authorities,
• And suspected them of taking bribes or practicing other forms of corruption.
(3). Caiaphas & his faith.
At the time of Jesus two main religious/political parties ruled the people:
• The Pharisees and the Sadducees.
• And the two parties were in open opposition to each other.
Caiaphas was a Sadducee:
• They were a sect among the Jews;
• They got their name from their founder ‘Sadoc’ who lived about 260 years before Christ.
• As a Sadducee Caiaphas had certain beliefs:
• They denied the oral (spoken) law that the Pharisees openly taught;
• For them the first five books of the Bible was the divine authority.
• Although they interpreted passages of the Torah very differently to the Pharisees.
• The Torah alone was what they based their beliefs upon.
Note: Sadducees did not believe the following doctrines:
• They did not believe in the resurrection of the body
• They did not believe in the immortality of the soul
• They did not believe in the existence of spirits and angels
• They did not believe in the divine predestination, they affirmed & emphasised free will!
• In short hand they did not believe in the supernatural;
• So, although they may have been very religious, they had a limited view of God.
Ill:
That is why in John chapter 11 verses 39-53:
• When the news reaches Caiaphas;
• That a man called Lazarus has been raised from the dead.
• This news was a double whammy (a double problem) to Caiaphas.
Jesus was bad news to Caiaphas politically:
• The crowds of people were openly believing in Jesus;
• This was causing unrest, turmoil, turbulence among the public
• That could develop and increase on to a large scale;
• And public demonstrations or riots could mean his possible his removal from office.
• So Jesus was bad news to Caiaphas politically.
But Jesus was also bad news to Caiaphas theologically:
• If Jesus had raised Lazarus back from the dead;
• It questioned his long held belief as a Sadducee.
• For Sadducee’s did not believe in resurrection;
• And before their eyes of those who cared to look, was living proof that resurrection is real!
(4). Caiaphas & Money.
Ill:
• You might recall the incident of when Jesus over turned the tables in the temple,
• And drove out those who were selling pigeons and doves at exorbitant prices.
• Do you remember what he called them?
• “A den of robbers” or “A den of thieves”.
• Jesus not upset the people at the tables but ultimately Caiaphas and his family:
• For they were the ultimate profiteers from all the earnings made in the temple.
• I think that money was the true ‘god’ in the life of Caiaphas and his family.
• Commentators have suggested that the income of the Caiaphas family ran into millions!
Ill:
Money permeates the story of Caiaphas:
• Caiaphas and his family and their aids;
• Would use it to get revenge on Jesus for this public act of embarrassment.
• Remember that they bought Judas for 30 pieces of silver.
• Then they hired people to stage the arrest in the garden & incite the crowd before Pilate.
• They bribed false witnesses at the trial.
• They gave large bribes to the Roman guards at the tomb;
• So that they would join forces in the deception about the disciples stealing the body.
• They were willing even to bribe Pilate himself
• (Matthew chapter 28 verse 14) were they say;
• “If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble”.
• To Caiaphas and his family life was uncomplicated:
• They lived on the principle “Everybody has their price!”
(3). Caiaphas & his character.
• Caiaphas was not a very ethical man.
• He has bought his office as High Priest,
• So you know right away he’s not a very principled individual!
THE GOSPELS SHOW HIM AS LAWBREAKER:
• He plays fast and loose with laws, rules, polices and justice.
• That is clearly seen in the irregular trial of Jesus which mocked any form of justice.
Ill:
(a).
• Capitol cases should have been tried during the daytime;
• And the verdict reached during the daytime,
• But the trial of Jesus took place at night.
• This was unlawful and a deliberate violation of the law!
(b).
• We know from Jewish law;
• That it was not lawful for the council to sit on the eve of the Sabbath or during festival.
• But once again they ignore the rules;
• And make an exception on this occasion!
(c).
• We know from Jewish law;
• That unless two witnesses agreed the case must be thrown out,
• Yet we are specifically told that the witnesses testifying against Jesus could not agree!
• Once again their own law is dishonoured!
(d).
• We know from Jewish law;
• By law no man could be convicted by his own testimony,
• Yet Jesus was!
(d).
• We know from Jewish law;
• There could not be a sentence given involving capitol cases on the same day as the trial,
• But once again that law was deliberately broken;
• And Jesus was sentenced before the morning!
(e).
• We know from Jewish law;
• That it was compulsory to provide a defence council to be present to defend the accused.
• Yet again the law was flouted;
• No council was provided.
(f).
• We know from Jewish law;
• In cases of blasphemy a special type of trial was required,
• But none was given!
• The gospels show Caiaphas as lawbreaker:
• Who plays fast and loose with laws, rules, polices and justice.
THE GOSPELS SHOW HIM AS UNCARING:
Ill:
(Matthew chapter 27 verse 3-4):
• You might recall when the story of when Judas came back to the Sanhedrin;
• He was full of remorse for his act of betraying Jesus.
• He threw down the 30 pieces of silver and confesses;
• “I have betrayed innocent blood”.
• The response of the Sanhedrin:
• “What is that to us? ….that is your responsibility”.
• To paraphrase their response to Judas;
• “We have already made up our minds, we are not interested with the facts”.
Ill:
(Matthew chapter 27 verse 42)
• And when they (the Sanhedrin) the chief priests and teachers of the law;
• Came and saw Jesus on the cross
• Their response is uncaring and cruel as they openly mock him!
• “He saved others…but he cannot save himself”
(5). Caiaphas & Jesus:
In thinking of how to conclude my talk this morning;
• Contrasting Caiaphas and Jesus came to mind;
• Just take these first four areas, four points about Caiaphas!
(a). Family.
• Caiaphas was Jewish nobility,
• He had money, he had a title, he had power!
• Jesus was born to a refugee woman, born in poverty,
• Born with a shameful reputation (his parentage questioned).
(b). Occupation.
• Caiaphas was a manipulator:
• He got his position through marrying into the right family;
• & having a wad of notes to bribe those Roman officials who made certain appointments.
• Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one,
• The one set apart by God for a specific task.
• He did not have to manipulate or bribe his way in life,
• The very opposite as he walked humbly, and in all he did he pleased the Father.
In their occupations:
• Caiaphas was self appointed and a spiritual failure for the nation.
• Jesus was God appointed and a spiritual success for the entire world!
(c). Faith.
• Caiaphas was Sadducee,
• Deeply religious, but focussed on the teachings of men;
• He was full of outward religion;
• Yet sadly he did not know the living God or the Son whom he sent!
• Jesus – was outwardly unimpressive.
• No priestly robes or title to impress people.
• But he was full of the Holy Spirit!
• Inwardly he desired to do the things that pleased the Father;
• God the Father testified of his obedience again and again an again!
(d). Money.
• For Caiaphas money was his God
• To Caiaphas and his family they lived on the principle “Everybody has their price!”
• Whatever the situation, or whoever the person;
• Throw enough money at it or them (or someone to remove them) and the problem is dealt with!
• For Jesus – money never held that great an attraction!
• Unlike modern TV preachers Jesus never said give your money to me!
• He did not need it;
• He know ‘Jehovah Jireh’ that God would supply all his needs!
And of course when it came to our salvation:
• We are told again and again in scripture;
• “That he saved us not by silver or gold”
• He saved us, he redeemed us with something that money cannot buy!
• His precious blood!
