GOD USES EVIL TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL

Passage: John 11:45-57

Key verse: 51

NIV

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary,(A) and had seen what Jesus did,(B) believed in him.(C) 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees(D) called a meeting(E) of the Sanhedrin.(F)

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs.(G) 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas,(H) who was high priest that year,(I) spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”(J)

51 He 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.(K) 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.(L)

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea.(M) Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,(N) many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing(O) before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus,(P) and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 (A)Many of the Jews therefore, (B)who had come with Mary and (C)had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees (D)gathered (E)the council and said, (F)“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and (G)the Romans will come and take away both our (H)place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, (I)Caiaphas, (J)who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that (K)it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but (L)being high priest that year (M)he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and (N)not for the nation only, but also (O)to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they (P)made plans to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore (Q)no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

55 Now (R)the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and (S)many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover (T)to purify themselves. 56 (U)They were looking for[a] Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

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Footnotes
  1. John 11:56 Greek were seeking for
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Caiaphas prophecies Jesus' death (45-53) After witnessing Jesus who raise Lazarus from the dead, many Jews believed in him. However, the chief priests and Pharisees were greatly troubled about the potential social and political upheaval that could result from people believing in Jesus. So, Caiaphas declared that it was better for Jesus to die than to lose their nation. The religious leaders cared nothing for the truth nor the evidence that showed Jesus was the Messiah. However, God used this plot to accomplish his salvation purpose. Jesus would die for the Jewish nation and all the scattered children of God to make them one. 2. Jesus withdraws until his time comes (54-57) Jesus knew the religious leaders' scheme and withdrew to a village called Ephraim. As the Passover neared, many went up to Jerusalem expecting to see him but did not. The religious officials had already made plans to arrest Jesus. Jesus' next visit to Jerusalem would result in his arrest and crucifixion.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who died for us. Thank you that you even use evil plans for your good purpose.

One Word: Jesus died to make us one.