Wicked Men Instruments To Serve God’s Own Purpose

Apostle John has written one of the Gospels recorded in the New Testament. His account of the life of Jesus of Nazzreth differs from the other accounts due to the main theme of which John tries to speak to the reader. When we compare the four accounts of the life of Jesus we find each told their version of which they witnessed for the purpose of which they believed important to their audience. Similarly, each account appears to follow a chronological calendar from the birth of Jesus to his death and resurrection. When we witness John’s dialog, John focuses mostly on the last few months before the crucifixion through the commandment to ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.’ This was immediately before the ascension of Jesus back into heaven. The other authors write more details in the early ministry of Jesus focusing on the miracles he performed to prove his deity as the son of God.

When we get to John 10:22, John gives us a time stamp: 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. Following this time indicator, the messages John tells are in parallel with the other Gospels as Jesus enters into his last winter on earth. We know he was crucified in the spring at the Feast of Passover; the end of the second week of the Jewish calendar new year.

From John's writings from chapter 10 and verse 22 to the end of the Gospel, we enter into the more urgent teachings of a spiritual language of which Jesus wants all men to comprehend. It appears this is John’s main purpose of his Gospel; to prove the spiritual nature which a living soul must abide to become pleasing unto God, in order to worship God and develop into a believer, strong in the faith, and to keep the wiles of Satan and the evil world away.

Let us focus upon more of these spiritual teachings important for a Christian to develop and transform their minds to be pleasing unto God.

This morning let us recognize a spiritual tactic of God using wicked men as instruments to serve His purpose.

In John’s writing we shall see the Pharisees and prominent Jews tried to seize Jesus to stop his teachings, but the common Jews believed in his teachings more and more. At the end of the Feast of Dedication, when the Pharisees tried to seize Jesus, he quietly left and returned to where John the Baptist had baptized people in the Jordan River. John 10:39-42. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.

The fame of Jesus was growing rapidly and the Pharisees did not like his fame. To them Jesus could not be The Messiah; he was not correctly suited for the position in their eyes. They must quieten him and his message before Rome hears of this man claiming to be The King of the Jews.

Following the Feast of Dedication, sometime in the winter months, Lazarus dies and Jesus raises him back to life. (John 11:1-44) We all know and cherish the story of Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. We all remember our bible school class where we learned the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35, Jesus wept. And, we love telling and hearing the story of Lazarus often.

Raising Lazarus back to life was more than the Pharisees and prominent Jews could stand. John 11:45-48. These Jews were more concerned with their physical position in society. They were living in fear of the Roman government. READ 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 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.

Wicked men had to tell the Pharisees what they witnessed to cause trouble. In this council which was convened was the High Priest Caiaphas. This council was members of the Sanhedrin, the Jews governing body. Of all people who should have known the Law and prophecies of the prophets, along with having direct access to God Almighty, this is what the High Priest suggested: Vss. 49-50. 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, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.