Reasons For Desiring To See Jesus Series

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,)