THE GUISE OF SURVIVALISM

JOHN 11:45–50

“If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation”

(John 11:48).

Returning to our study of John, we pick up in chapter 11 where the Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus. With Jesus performing more extraordinary signs and with more people following Him, the Sanhedrin decided that the time had come to do something about His growing influence. But what would they do?

There are three things we should notice in their answer to this question: first, the nationalistic and political orientation of the high priests; second, the rationalizing that went on behind the plotting; and third, the influence and character of Caiaphas.

The concern stated by the Sanhedrin centered on Jesus as a political figure. If Jesus did rise up as the Messiah, which to them was primarily a political revolutionary, the Romans would oppose such a rebellion and crush it. Then the “place,” which referred to the temple, and the “nation” (all of Israel) would be destroyed. The Sanhedrin, therefore, concluded that they had to stop Jesus.

Notice that they used political concerns to cover their true motives. They really saw Jesus as a threat to their own power, and they wanted Him out of the way. But they could not bring themselves to admit this, so they cloaked their true motives with rigid nationalism. Deluded by their own ambition, they declared that national survival was their only motivation.

Lastly, the character of Caiaphas played a major role m this decision. Caiaphas is always portrayed by the Gospel writers as ambitious, manipulative, and sly. He was an opportunist who would kill for his own purposes. He wanted Jesus dead because He was a threat to his own power. So, as so many evil leaders have done throughout history, Caiaphas proposed murder for the sake of national security. For the welfare of the people, Jesus Christ would have to die. Ironically, this was true in a spiritual sense. But what Caiaphas meant was far from true. He wanted power for himself, and he knew the only way to retain that power would be to kill Jesus as an act of national survival. Let this be a warning to us all. Any national leader who puts the “welfare” of the people above all else is not concerned with national welfare at all, but only the advancement of his own limited power.

CORAM DEO

Psalm 19–21

Acts 19:21–41

There are many examples in our own country where national leaders undermine Christianity and its principles in the name of national security, survival of the people, and public welfare. Can you give some particular examples of how this is subtly, and sometimes not so subtly, done? Pray for our leaders.

For further study: Matt. 26:1–5 • Phil. 2:1–11 • James 3:13–18

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