One Died For All

Scripture: John 18:12-14  (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they took him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.” (John 18:12-14 NLT)

Annas had been the Jewish high priest, a position traditionally held for life, until he was deposed by Roman rulers, who appointed his son-in-law Caiaphas to the position. The mob took Jesus to Annas first because many of them still considered him the “real” high priest rather than the man appointed by Rome. As we’ll see from the narrative here in chapter 18, John was likely present and an eyewitness to the “trial” before Annas, but not present when Jesus was tried before Caiaphas.

Annas and Caiaphas, even though they represented both the traditional and the legal authority over the Jewish religion and the entire system of Jewish worship, cared more about their political ambitions and their religious positions than about truth and justice. They manipulated the people they were supposed to lead to God, and they manipulated the Roman governor into doing their “dirty work” for them! It is inevitable and necessary that religion develops a “system.” The cautionary lesson for us is that with the system comes the very strong temptation to compromise truth and justice for position, power, and security. This is true at every level, friends. We must guard our hearts at all costs!

49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. (John 11:49-52 NLT)

Here’s an encouraging thought! Even though Annas and Caiaphas had sold themselves to evil, God spoke through a remark made by Caiaphas a prophecy that Jesus’ death as the Lamb of God would bring salvation! God’s purpose prevails!

Prayer:

Father, I’m so thankful for the encouragement that your purpose will prevail! Please help me to guard my heart from every temptation to sin and evil! In Jesus’ Name!