Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"But one of them, 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.' ... So from that day on they
made plans to put Him to death" (John 11:49-50, 53).

Read John 11:45-57.

In Lazarus' resurrection on the fourth day, Jesus performed an
undeniable miracle greater and more widely known than healing a
man born blind. Since this miracle took place near Jerusalem
word spread quickly, which the Jewish leaders found to be
particularly troubling. But they never stopped to ask if they might
be wrong, if Jesus might possibly be the Christ.

They only knew many people were seeing Lazarus and believing
in Jesus. Gathering their Council together, they searched for some
kind of answer-something they could do to stop the madness.

Finally, the high priest broke through it all. He alone seemed to
realize there was only one solution: Jesus must die. If Jesus
continued living, the entire nation would be destroyed. And from
that moment on, the Jewish leaders sought Jesus' death.

But God had long ago reached that same decision. In fact, John
tells us that Caiaphas did not say this on his own, but the Holy
Spirit inspired him to say it. It was the truth. If Jesus would not
die on the cross for the sins of the world, then the entire Jewish
nation would be destroyed, and with it you and me and all people.
If this one man died, then all of us could live.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, what amazing humility You showed in being willing
to be put to death to save me and all people. Give Your Church
true faith and gratitude that we may tell Your story to all people.
Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer