Prophesy of Caiaphas

 

I never caught this before and found it interesting that God used Caiaphas to prophesy about the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus. The unblemished Lamb Who died so that we could live.

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
John 11:45-53 ESV

It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 18:14 ESV

David Guzik* wrote:

...This unknowing prophecy of Caiaphas is recorded in John 11:49-53. Without knowing, Caiaphas spoke the truth that it was good for Jesus to die for the people.
i. In that unknowing prophecy Caiaphas spoke logically (the good of the many outweigh the good of the one) but not morally (it was wrong to put an innocent Man, God’s Messiah, to death).
ii. One reason John reminds us of what Caiaphas said in John 11:49-52 is to show that the judgment against Jesus was already decided. It would not be a fair trial. “Jesus might expect little from such a judge. Here was no idealist ready to see that justice was done, but a cynical politician who had already spoken in favor of Jesus’ death.” (Morris)

* Guzik, David (2018). Enduring Word. Bible commentary app.

***

See last year's three posts about what transpired on Good Friday:

*********

Please join me during this Holy Week in praising our Lord and Savior, and thanking Him and our Father for the sacrifice they endured for each and every one of us.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe <--- recently changed
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #ResurrectionSunday #Easter #GoodFriday #sacrifice

Jesus was crucified

Six hours on the cross

     Jesus was hung on the cross around 9 am. The soldiers cast lots for His clothes; they hung the sign over His head that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages.  The people who had gathered to watch Him, including the elders, priests, and even the two criminals crucified with Him, mocked Him and blasphemed against Him. They taunted Him with accusations that if He was who He said He was then surely He could come down from the cross or have God rescue Him.
     After a while, one of the criminals repented.
     Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
     But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
     And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
     Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour (around noon to 3 pm), there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
     Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 
Matthew 27:45-48 NKJV
     None of Jesus' disciples were there except for John. With him was Jesus' mother Mary, her sister, another woman, and Mary Magdalene.
     When Jesus, therefore, saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
     After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30 NKJV
     Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
     So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:51-54 NKJV
     About this time, the Jews asked the Governor to have the legs broken of those being crucified, so they would die quickly. It was Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath and so all work had to be finished by 6 pm. Pilate allowed it. The guards broke the legs of the two criminals but when they got to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so one of them pierced His side to be certain.
     A councilman, the one who had dissented in Jesus' trial, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body so that he could bury Him. Joseph had a new tomb hewn into the rock. He and Nicodemus took Jesus' body and wrapped Him in strips of fresh linen prepared with spices, laid Him in the tomb and rolled a large stone across the opening.
     The next day, the priests got permission from Pilate to seal the tomb and set a guard there because Jesus had claimed that after three days, He would rise.

* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me.

Jesus tried and convicted

Good Friday, 6am - 9am (approximately)

The entire Sanhedrin council (approximately 70 men) with the exception of one man, Joseph of Arimathea, delivered Jesus to Pilate to stand trial in the Roman court since the Romans had final authority over death sentences. So Jesus had two types of trials: one with Jewish authorities, and one with the Romans. The Jewish council ruled over the laws of the covenant while the Romans ruled over the laws of the state. Therefore, the Sanhedrin needed to show that Jesus violated Roman law. They couldn't do this without lying. 

     They told Pilate that Jesus was "perverting the nation" and that He forbid people to pay taxes to Caesar because He Himself was a King. When the council mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate figured this was his opportunity to get out of the situation because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod was also in Jerusalem at that time and was excited to meet Jesus hoping he could see a miracle. He questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't respond, which angered him greatly. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus regarding the Jew's accusations against Him. They dressed Jesus in a purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

     While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” 

Matthew 27:19 NKJV

     So, Pilate was going to release Jesus as it was customary to release one prisoner before the feast but the Sanhedrin got the crowds worked up calling for the relase of Barnabas, a murderer instead. When Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, they chanted "Let Him be crucified." (Matthew 27:22b NKJV).

     When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

    And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Matthew 27:24-25 NKJV

     Pilate had Jesus scourged and his garrison of soldiers (approx. 600 men) stripped Jesus, spat on Him, and beat Him. They clothed Him with a scarlet robe (Matthew) and twisted a crown out of thorns which they put on His head. They placed a reed in His right hand to imitate a scepter and then kneeled before Him, making a mockery of Him. 

     The soldiers made a sign that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that everyone could read it. After hanging the sign around His neck, they led Him to be crucified.

     Jesus was expected to carry the crossbeam of His own cross (approximately 100 lbs.) over 2000 feet to the site of His execution but when it was obvious that He wouldn't make it, the soldiers ordered a man named Simon to bear His cross.

     When they arrived at the crucifixion site, Golgotha, or "Place of a Skull" they offered Jesus a drink of sour wine laced with "gall" which was a bitter-tasting narcotic they offered those being crucified to help deaden the pain. However, when Jesus realized that, He refused to drink it, not wanting to dull His senses for what He must do.

* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me. 

Jesus arrested

Good Friday

After The Lord's Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to Gethsemane. He asked the disciples to sit there and wait for Him while He, Peter, James, and John walked a little further. Jesus was troubled and asked His friends to keep watch while He went to pray.

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

     Jesus returned to find the three sleeping. He woke them up and told them to keep watch and pray. He went off to pray a second time and then returned to find them asleep again. He prayed a third time. When He returned, He woke the disciples and told them the time had come. His betrayer was approaching along with a multitude of armed men. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, signaling to those with him that He was the one they sought after.
   Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Annas, the former High Priest, and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the present High Priest. (John is the only one of the gospels that mentions this first interrogation.) Annas questioned Jesus about His doctrine.

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

John 18:20-21 NKJV

     One of the officers didn't like Jesus' answer and struck Him.
     Meanwhile, Caiaphas gathered the Sanhedrin at his house. Annas sent Jesus to him bound. There, the Sanhedrin questioned Jesus and brought in false witnesses to testify against Him. All of this was done in the middle of the night. Jesus kept silent, not answering their questions or accusations. Then the priests found two witnesses who said that Jesus claimed He was able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” (Matthew 26:61b NKJV) But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?”
They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” (Matthew 26:63-66 NKJV)
     The Sanhedrin blindfolded Jesus spat on Him and beat Him. They decided to take Him to Pilate for sentencing. However, since it was still night, they had to wait until the break of day in order to render a legal verdict so they re-interrogated Jesus in the morning.

*********

Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Good Friday

     We've been talking and praying about those with a terminal illness this week; how difficult it is knowing that death is near for both the person and his/her family and friends. But, we're also able to focus on the hope of eternal life because Jesus gave His life that we may live.
     Can you imagine being 33 years old and knowing the hour that you will begin a horrible night of torture and ultimately be crucified by the very people you came to save? Can you imagine the pain and suffering? Can you imagine His mother, Mary, watching all of this, praying that He be spared but knowing that being crucified was the reason He was born to her?

He went a little farther and fell on His face, 

and prayed, saying, 

“O My Father, if it is possible, 

let this cup pass from Me; 

nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

And then, can you imagine His love for all of us?

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Luke 23:34 NKJV

     On this Good Friday, join me in a prayer of thankfulness for what Jesus has done; that we can have hope and peace in knowing that our sins are forgiven and that this world is only a means of getting to our forever life with Him.

Follow through Jesus' Day:
At daybreak
Crucified
Jesus saves, even as He is dying
Jesus dies

*****

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a potentially terminal illness. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Good Friday - Jesus is Crucified

Luke 23:32-34 (NIV)

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. 

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. 

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

This fulfilled the Prophesies of Psalm 22:18 and Isaiah 53:12

Good Friday at Daybreak

Luke 22:66-71 (NIV)
 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 
“If You are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. 
But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”
They all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?”
He replied, “You say that I am.”
Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from His own lips.”