Do You Believe Him Now?

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

45-48 That was a turning point for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. “What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.”

49-52 Then one of them—it was Caiaphas, the designated Chief Priest that year—spoke up, “Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?” But, of course, he didn’t say this of his own accord. Still, as Chief Priest that year, he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for the nation, and not only for the nation but so that all God’s exile-scattered children might be gathered together into one people.

53-54 From that day on, they plotted to kill him. So Jesus no longer went out in public among the Jews. Instead, he withdrew into the country bordering the desert to a town called Ephraim and secluded himself there with his disciples.

55-56 The Jewish Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast. Naturally, they were curious about Jesus. There was a lot of talk of him among those standing around in the Temple: “What do you think? Do you think he’ll show up at the Feast or not?”

57 Meanwhile, the high priests and Pharisees gave out the word that anyone who knew his whereabouts should inform them. They were all set to arrest him.

-John 11:45-57 The Message.

Verse 45: Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.

Verse 46: But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

Verse 47: Therefore, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs.

Verse 48: If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Verse 49: But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.

Verse 50: Nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man dies for the people and that the whole nation not perish.”

Verse 51: Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,

Verse 52: And not for the nation only, but so that He might also gather together into one of the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Verse 53: So from that day on, they planned together to kill Him.

Verse 54: Therefore, Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

Verse 55: Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves.

Verse 56: So they were seeking for Jesus and were saying to one another as they stood in the Temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at at all?”

Verse 57: Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it so that they might seize Him.

Verses 45-53 study: There are obvious things we see on Earth. When you see a miracle, do you believe it? Do you let your heart be hardened? If you see a miracle and everyone else denies it, be aware of the pride in these people. Do not let it become the best of you, as it comes with severe consequences.

Verse 48 study: Although Jesus’ miracles are a blessing, they cause a big distraction that the Romans didn’t want because they allowed partial freedom with quiet and obedience. The Jewish leaders feared that if they didn’t stop Jesus, they would face discipline. Plus, it will bring hard times to the nation.

Verse 51 study: Sometimes, we do things without realizing what we are doing. A lot of times that is God working in us. The same thing happened with Caiaphus, the high priest at the time. He was going around telling others about Jesus’ death, which John knew were words of a prophet. Caiaphus told others that Jesus would die for the nation and never understood why he was doing it.

Father, I pray that we can subconsciously talk with people about the things we do in our lives. I pray we do it with courage, faith, and love. Thank you for your word and for allowing us to study history with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen!