Caiaphas

Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them,

“You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand

that it is better for you that one man should die for the people,

not that the whole nation should perish.”

He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Caiaphas was the leader of God's people. As such he exercised the gift of prophecy. What a profound prophecy he made! God let him in on something Jesus kept secret from all but His closest disciples - that He would die for the people. Caiaphas was given foreknowledge of God's plan. See that truth for what it is.

"You know nothing at all..." he proclaimed. It seems based on his prophesy he felt confident he did know something. "It is better for you..." he said. It seems he understood that the reason for the prophecy was the good of God's people. "One man should die for the people... not that the whole nation should perish." he boldly asserted, mirroring God's actual plan for the salvation of us all! But it's the next verse of John's gospel that gets me:

...So from that day on they made plans to put Jesus to death.

WHAT! How do you go from being a leader of the people of God, and hearing the prophesy of God, to being on completely the wrong side of God's plans? Caiaphas could have been like Nicodemas and honored Christ for the sacrificial lamb He was. The burden for carrying out the execution of Christ could have fallen on someonelse's shoulders.

Two things seem very clear to me from this passage.

1. God speaks His truth to the leaders of His people.

2. Even if they can and do hear God speak, a leaders sin can twist his thinking toward a wrong interpretation and a wrong course action.

Do you think the burden of guilt for Caiaphas' role in executing Christ landed him in Hell?

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers,

for you know that we who teach

will be judged with greater strictness."

Lord have mercy on us all. Protect us from our sin, and lead us into right interpretation, and right course of action.