120. Religious Leaders Plot Against Jesus

When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by stealth, and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”

Many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him, but some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? This man does many signs. If we leave him alone, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away our positions and our nation.”

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you realize it is better for us that one man should die for the people, than the whole nation perish.” Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. From that day forward they began to plan for his death. 

Jesus walked openly among the Jews no more, but departed into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.

The Passover was at hand and many went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and spoke with each other as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the feast at all?” The chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded anyone who knew where he was to report it, for them to seize him.

Reflections

 As Jesus became increasingly popular, the Jewish leaders focused on what they had to lose because of him rather than on what they had to gain. Those with power and privilege always act to maintain their positions. Can you think of modern day examples? If you were in a position of power today, would you see Jesus as a threat? 

Prayer: Open my eyes, Lord, when my self-interest blinds me from seeing what is good and right for everyone.