READ: Jn. 11:45–57: … Caiaphas … said, You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation … and also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered …
For the Pharisees, the miracle is a threat to their influence over the people. They had already tried to stone the Christ for blasphemy, because He continually calls Himself the One sent by the Father. Now they present this matter to the Sanhedrin with the question: What shall we do, since Jesus performs so many signs?
No one can deny the raising of Lazarus now that so many have witnessed it. Strangely, they do not ask how a man could perform such signs—is this from God or from the devil? That should have been their duty. But they care only about themselves. Jesus’s influence must be stopped, otherwise the people might make Him king, and then they would have to deal with the Romans. That would endanger their own position.
The Lord Jesus forces them, in a way, to finally acknowledge Him as the One sent by God, foretold by the prophets (cf. Lk. 7:22; Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 61:1). But the divine miracle and divine Word are rejected by Israel’s leaders.
The high priest Caiaphas notices their indecision. He sees a way out that benefits them: “This one man must die, so that the entire people will not perish.” These words do not originate from himself (v.51).
The intention is devilish: twisting justice as if Jesus were a danger to the nation. Yet God puts these words in his mouth. Against his will, Caiaphas becomes a prophet of God.
Something similar happened with Balaam and Saul. God’s ways are higher than ours. God’s message is now: One for all. Only through the substitutionary death of Jesus will God’s nation receive life (cf. Isa. 53). God’s nation includes both Jews and Gentiles. But faith in Jesus as the Christ is required in order to benefit from this sacrifice.
The words of Caiaphas are accepted: they decide to arrest and kill Him.
Does God still use evil actions to fulfill His purpose?
Sing: Ps. 107:8