Introduction
John 11:45–57: The raising of Lazarus causes division among the Jews, and the religious authorities make plans to arrest and kill Jesus.
Today’s Key Verse: John 11:45
Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw what Jesus did, and they believed in him.
Reading
45 Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw what Jesus did, and they believed in him. 46 But some of them returned to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, “What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing! 48 If we let him go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Roman authorities will take action and destroy our Temple and our nation!”
49 One of them, named Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, said, “What fools you are! 50 Don’t you realize that it is better for you to have one man die for the people, instead of having the whole nation destroyed?” 51 Actually, he did not say this of his own accord; rather, as he was High Priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish people, 52 and not only for them, but also to bring together into one body all the scattered people of God.
53 From that day on the Jewish authorities made plans to kill Jesus. 54 So Jesus did not travel openly in Judea, but left and went to a place near the desert, to a town named Ephraim, where he stayed with the disciples.
55 The time for the Passover Festival was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to perform the ritual of purification before the festival. 56 They were looking for Jesus, and as they gathered in the Temple, they asked one another, “What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?” 57 The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he must report it, so that they could arrest him.
Reflect
The religious leaders were afraid that Jesus would lead his followers to rebel against Rome and that the Roman army would then destroy their nation and the Temple. They were also afraid that, if many people started to follow Jesus and his teachings, their own power would be lessened. What are your thoughts about the debate that took place among the religious leaders and the Council (verses 47–50)? How does the biblical narrator understand the cynical words of the High Priest (verses 51–52)?
Pray
I love you, Lord Jesus. Empower me with the courage to proclaim your love and salvation to others and give glory to you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 12:1–11: Jesus is anointed at Bethany.
