Show Don't Tell: John 11:45-57

Instead of saying "The raising of Lazarus led to the plot to kill Jesus," hear Caiaphas prophesy. Many of the Jews who have come to visit Mary and have seen what Jesus did believe in him. But some go to the Pharisees and tell them what Jesus has done. The chief priests and Pharisees call a meeting of the Sanhedrin: "What are we accomplishing? Here is this man performing many signs. 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." Caiaphas, high priest that year: "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He does not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesies that Jesus will die for the Jewish nation—and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. From that day on they plot to take his life. Jesus no longer moves about publicly among the Jewish leaders. He withdraws to a village called Ephraim. As Passover approaches, many wonder: "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?"