John 11:45-53 (NLT) 45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” 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. 53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.
The raising of Lazarus from the dead was a major prelude to Holy Week. It threw the religious leaders into a dilemma. They worried that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem would cause riots to break out in the streets and that Rome would blame them for the chaos and that all Jerusalem would suffer if they didn’t do something about Him. “So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death” (vs. 53). From a human viewpoint, things would end in disaster; but from Heaven’s viewpoint, everything would lead to the crowning event. Jesus’ death and resurrection would prove His message, His ministry, and His Messiahship. As we focus our hearts during this Holy Week, consider how faith in Jesus has transformed your life. How are you different today, how is your life better because you chose to follow Him? Tell somebody.
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