The Crucifixion: The Chief Priest
March 15, 2015
Mark 14:53-65
Have you ever noticed how many “who done it” programs are on television? We have the old favorites like “Law and Order, CSI, Castle, NCIS, The Mentalist, Elementary and others. They try to keep the viewer in suspense as the characters go through a myriad of hoops trying to determine who done it?
Well, every year around this time people try to answer another who done it question . . . “Who killed Jesus?” Some people blame the Romans, some blame the Jews, some don’t really care. Ultimately the answer is the fact that sin killed Jesus. And we are part of that sin which killed Him. As we move towards Easter, we’re going to look at some of the different characters who were involved in the final moments of Jesus’ earthly life.
Today we are going to look at a really complicated figure. We’re going to look at the High Priest of Jerusalem. His name was Joseph Caiaphas. Caiaphas was High Priest from 18-36. That was an extremely long period of time for someone to be High Priest. Usually the term lasted a couple of years.
So, why did Caiaphas last so long in his position? The territory of Judea was not considered the best assignment, it was not in the best of territories and their were constant threats of uprisings. But, it’s believed to have been much more palatable because of the side benefits which came with the job.
You see, Caiaphas was the main man in the temple. He had access to the treasury and there were thousands upon thousands of Jews who made an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year. Each carried their credit and debit cards. And if you played your cards right, you could make some side money.
Caiaphas had married the daughter of the previous High Priest, Annas. Which helped his position and rise to rule the Jewish Council in Jerusalem.
In the midst of Caiaphas running the council and the temple, suddenly a man named Jesus came onto the scene. Jesus was attracting quite a crowd. He was healing people, hanging out with sinners, the sick, the lame, the Gentiles. This was not good PR for the temple to have a Jewish teacher/rabbi doing this. He was also telling stories which were directed right at the Jewish leaders, telling them they were sinful, which infuriated them.
Jesus made some outlandish statements, statements which in their minds were worthy of death. I want to look at two major passages of scripture. Jesus has just performed one of His greatest miracles. In the gospel of John 11, Jesus has brought Lazarus back from the dead. Immediately after that occurred, look at what happened ~
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, and believed in Him,
46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this Man performs many signs.
48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.
50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one Man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
So, what’s happened? Jesus has risen Lazarus from the dead. Some people believe in Jesus, some don’t and thought it would be good to tell the Jewish leaders what’s going on. The leaders were troubled and alarmed. They weren’t thinking spiritually, they’re not even thinking religiously. They’re thinking politically and personally. This is all about them and their place of honor and wealth. Look back at verse 48, the council said, 48 If we let Him go on like this, EVERYONE will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and TAKE AWAY BOTH OUR PLACE and our nation.”
Do you see what they are afraid of? Everyone will believe in Jesus. And if everyone believes in Jesus, how many will follow them? They would lose their fame, plus the Romans will take away our place. The Romans will take away all they have. All the times we gave in to the Romans to get a few more perks will be gone. And we can’t let that happen.
Caiaphas was a smart guy. He said, 50 . . . it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
You see, these religious leaders are scared. And they have good reason to be. Rome could be a benevolent master. If you did what they wanted and you kept order in your area, you could make it pretty well. You may have to sell your soul, but if you didn’t care, then you made out alright.
Rome didn’t want any problems. If the governor’s wanted to get better territories, there had to be peace in their land. If you challenged Roman authority, if they sensed a real threat to their control and dominance, there would be trouble. Caiaphas had an open phone line with Herod and Pilate. If everyone could stay happy and content, then everyone would profit.
Then, Jesus came along.
He could not be manipulated.
He had an answer for every challenge.
He was popular.
He was powerful.
He could mesmerize even the enemy when He spoke.
It looked as though He could raise up an army of believers that would attempt to throw off the hated dominance of the Romans. You see, these Jewish leaders, who were led by Caiaphas were being bought off.
This is what happened to Caiaphas as well. Caiaphas thought Jesus was going to lead some kind of rebellion against the Romans. After all, Jesus was equating Himself as God, He would be the next Jewish king. But the Jews hadn’t had a king since the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC.
This means Jesus was going to battle the Romans for supremacy. Other men tried it and failed. The aftermath was always bad for the Jewish people. Even if Jesus was victorious, changes would occur in the temple and Caiaphas might be on the outside looking in.
BUT, if Jesus would lose a battle with the Romans, the results could be unimaginable. Rome would bring the hammer down hard. People would be slaughtered, and those who weren’t killed would be carried off into slavery. Rome had leveled other cities for less. Jerusalem would be destroyed and its Temple would be burned to the ground — — —
AND no Temple meant no need for Pharisees … chief Priests … and no need for a High Priest.
Remember, Caiaphas is more a politician than a he is Godly High Priest. God’s not really in the picture for him.
So as a politician, Caiaphas see this as a political issue. Political issues call for political solutions. The enemy must be destroyed. So Caiaphas calms the leaders with the words, Jesus must perish. He must die, so that the whole nation isn’t destroyed.
The plot to kill Jesus which was already in the back of their minds is set into action. Now, let’s fast forward to the final night of Jesus’ life. The Jewish council was able to get Judas in on the action, and they were able to convince the Romans Jesus was looking to start a rebellion.
Let’s look at what happened that night. I’m reading from Mark 14 — — —
53 And they led Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
54 And Peter had followed Jesus at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.
55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none.
56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimony did not agree.
57 And some stood up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’”
59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against You?”
61 But He remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need?
64 You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him as deserving death.
65 And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to strike Him, saying to Him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received Him with blows.
Caiaphas held an unlawful late night trial.
He had false witnesses brought before him to testify
He had Jesus blindfolded and beaten before being taken away to Pilate for judgment.
There was nobody to convict Jesus of doing anything wrong. But it all changed with one answer, and it was a reminder to Caiaphas of something Jesus had previously said.
It became clear that no two witnesses could agree, Caiaphas grew more and more agitated. Finally he goes to Jesus and asked Him, 60 “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against You?”
Silence. Doesn’t that drive you crazy. You want an answer. You want to hear what you want, but you can’t even get a word out of Jesus. So, Caiaphas rephrases his question,61 “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
This time Jesus answers Caiaphas — — 62 “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” He not only proclaims to be the Christ, the Son of God, He adds that He will be sitting with the Father judging humanity.
Firstly, when Jesus said, “I AM” Caiaphas knew Jesus had said that before. He remembered a time in the temple when Jesus said, “before Abraham, I am.” Meaning Jesus was there before Abraham. And in stating I AM, Jesus was using the same words God used when Moses asked God what’s your name, and God said, tell the people “I AM who I AM.”
When Jesus said that the first time, they tried to stone Him. This was major blasphemy in their eyes. Add to this statement, the fact that these religious leaders knew Jesus was making reference to Daniel 7:13-14.
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
They realize Jesus was telling them, that those who are judging Him will see Him on the judgement seat – judging His accusers. Caiaphas knows what’s happening and tears his garments in horror.
Blasphemy! Condemn Him! Put Him to death! Some spit on Jesus; He’s blindfolded; others are hitting and taunting Him. Taking their cue from Caiaphas, the guards close in and begin to beat Him.
Now, here comes the twist in the story . . . Listen again to John 11:51-52 ~
51 Caiaphas did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
Isn’t that interesting? At the same time as he is pronouncing – Jesus needs to die, Caiaphas also states Jesus will die for the nation, but not only for the nation but for those who do not yet know Him, the Gentiles.
It’s a remarkable statement which most people skip over. God has looked at this crooked High Priest and puts the words into his mouth, notice verse 51 said, “he did not say this of his own accord. . .” Who led Caiaphas to speak these words? God.
Who killed Jesus? We can say it was the Jews. We can say it was the Romans. Ultimately, who killed Jesus? Sin did. Our sin! The sin of the world. While we don’t like to admit our sinfulness . . . God has also given us a way to move beyond the condemnation of our sinfulness.
That’s part of the beauty we saw this morning in baptism. Amy, Jeff and Aleigh symbolically entered the water and die to their old self and rise up as new creations in Jesus.
There’s the great symbolism, but don’t lose sight of what Jesus die for us. That’s not symbolism. It’s real. He died for us. Sin does not have to be the end of the journey for us. For God sent His Son, Jesus into the world, to face down the Herod’s, Caiaphas’, the evil which is in the world.
