Saturday 27th July
Read John 11:49-53
“49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, ‘You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.’ 51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.” (NIVUK)
The high point in Johannine irony is reached here. John even pauses to spell out just how ironic Caiaphas’ words are. The high priest is making the politically obvious point that killing one man to prevent revolt by the people who may follow Jesus is absolutely necessary. John then makes the point that he prophesied more fully than he knew.
Many have wondered if anyone who has pronounced a death sentence, without trial, on anyone could possibly be called a prophet. Yet John considers it entirely fitting that the high priest should declare that a sacrifice is needed for the good of the people – after all it is the core business of the high priest to perform sacrifices on behalf of the people.
Have you reflected on how necessary sacrifice is? Peace between God and humanity, and between humans themselves, is impossible without it. The scattered children of God, amongst whom we can be counted, are not brought together without it. It is the grounds of our salvation.
