REASONS FOR DESIRING TO SEE JESUS
A few weeks ago, we had a lesson concerning the desire to see The Christ at the time of his birth. Today, let us examine reasons some desired to see The Christ, Jesus, just before the time of his death.
Many desired to see him at the feast of Unleavened Bread preceding the Passover. Jesus’ fame had spread throughout the country. Many desired to see him for the news they had just heard of the resurrection of Lazarus.
Others desired to see him for personal reasons; desiring to be healed of physical ailments; desiring to remove evil spirits troubling them; etc.
However, I desire to focus this lesson upon the ruling Jews of the Israelite nation, the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. For selfish evil purposes they desired to see Jesus.
At this time in history, Caiaphas was High Priest and leader of the Jewish Sanhedrin. Like unto our governing bodies who have an ordained leader, the Sanhedrin was led by the appointed High Priest.
Caiaphas was the Greek surname given to him. His given name was Joseph. He did not deserve the position of High Priest as he married the daughter of his predecessor, the high priest Annas; he was not a direct descendant of Aaron, the Levite. He was appointed by the Roman Governor to be high priest over Israel at Jerusalem between 18 and 37 C.E.
In 18 [CE], the Roman governor Valerius Gratus appointed Caiaphas as high priest in Jerusalem. The two men must have had an excellent working relation, because Caiaphas remained in office exceptionally long. Gratus' successor Pontius Pilate retained the high priest in office.
Why was Caiaphas selfish and evil in his judgment of Jesus?
Let us examine John 11:43-57.
In John 11, we read of the raising from the dead Lazarus. Verses 43-44 read of that direct dialog from Jesus with many witnesses. (vs. 45)
Beginning in verse 46 we see evil troublemakers running to the Pharisees which caused a special council of the Sanhedrin. They began speaking of the events surrounding the raising from the dead, Lazarus. This drew fear among prominent Jews.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
Fear enveloped the council. “What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.” (vs. 47)
Everyone had either heard of miraculous things Jesus had done or they personally witnessed some. Noone could deny the power of God within this man, Jesus. Even the high Priest, the Pharisees, scribes, nor Sadducees. Roman governors and citizens knew of the rising fame of this man Jesus.
Now to the real reason for the fear of the Jewish Council. This is the real reason they wanted to find this man Jesus.
John 11:48. 48 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.
‘The Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.’ What place?
What place?
Some believe they were concerned with taking away the Temple; the place Jews worshiped.
To the Jewish council, this Temple was their legacy as Jews and the nation of Israel.
It represented their God and ancestry which gave it to them.
It was built by their father David’s son Solomon.
It represented their religion; of which they were placed in charge of protecting and preserving.
The real ‘place’ they referred to was their power and economic support obtained by their position (place) of control over the ‘peasants’.
The Jewish elite were the only ones with direct exposure to God’s will for the nation Israel.
They were to balance the relationship of Roman culture and Jewish culture to keep an uprising from happening, drawing attention from the Roman Emperor from Rome.
Rome had been leery of Jewish activity and the rising of religious activities which might cause a revolt against Rome. (so Roman officials and prominent Jewish leaders thought)
Herod had already beheaded John the Baptist because of the teaching of adultery against Herod the Tetrarch. (Mt. 14:1-12)
Many openly mourned the death of John. Any activity from many Jews put fear into Roman rulers. They did not want any notoriety upon that reagan of the empire.
How were they to protect their personal positions with the rising fame of the activities of Jesus?
Caiaphas began his dialog trying to show his authority as the high priest and find a means to protect their ‘place’.
Vs. 49-50a. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us,
How could they protect their place except for a way devised to look as the necessary thing to do in their predicament (that it is expedient for us,)
It became the ‘word-on-the-street’
It became the utmost urgent thing to do to protect their interests.
Vs. 50b. …one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
To protect their ‘place’, it is for the greater good that one must die to silence this movement attracting attention to our nation and the attention of this man’s fame throughout all Israel.
If the common people become emboldened to rise against us, with the power of this man Jesus, we will be removed from our office and then Rome will come down upon us.
This seems to be the fear of Caiaphas and then the whole council
Vs. 53. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
The plot had been hatched.
Now they must put it into action
They must devise a plan to secretly have Jesus charged and brought before the Roman government and have him put to death.
This religious movement must be ended for the greater good.
We can preserve our ‘place’.
Vss. 54-57. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
Continued reason of desire to see Jesus
The Sanhedrin Council (‘they’ in verse 56) worried Jesus would not attend the Passover Feast.
‘They sought for Jesus’
‘They ‘spake’ among themselves as they stood in the temple’
Chief priests and Pharisees gave command for anyone to turn Jesus in to them (vs. 57)
Question! Who started the cry, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’?
It appears to be the Jewish council.
They had determined ‘one must die for the greater good of the nation’
A propaganda which took away the pointing to them the forced death of Jesus, a famous prophet.
Many still seek to find Jesus today. Some, like Caiaphas and the Jewish Sanhedrin, to stop this religious movement in the name of Jesus. They seek to stop the history of Jesus except for Christmas, where they can receive something–wealth from dishonest scales, unethical business practices, etc. They want to kill one to maintain ‘the greater good’ of their wealth and power in the name of their nation. Revelation calls this influencing power the ‘whore of Babylon’; ‘the mother of harlots’. (Rev. 17)
Others seek to find Jesus for envy and strife; which teachings in the name of Jesus brings to many worldwide. They seek power and followings. It gives them strength, power, and excitement over their ‘place’.
Still, others for greed and wealth. If they protect their ‘place’ in a religious organization, they can maintain their wealth and power over many foolish minds. Large contributions with large paychecks allow them prominence in their communities. No one dare question their position and ability to interpret scripture. Therefore , they can propagate false propaganda telling things the people want to hear.
2 Tim. 4:3-4. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
The Apostle Paul spoke of these things to Philippi. Philippians 1:15-17. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Some still desire to see The Christ for the love of the gospel.
Pray they can find Jesus for the right purpose.
