Daily Devotions
John
An unwitting prophetic statement
Text: John 11 : 45 - 57
AN UNWITTING PROPHETIC STATEMENT
The Gospel of John was written reflectively. John noted that the words of the High Priest, notwithstanding the fact that he was a wicked person, were “prophetic”. He remarked on this.
“‘…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 not for that nation only, but also that
He would gather together in one the children of God
who were scattered abroad.”
John 11:50-52
It is interesting to note John’s comments on this matter. Let us consider John’s thoughts in some detail.
1. The High Priestly Office
John did not say that Caiaphas was a prophet. He paid respect not to the person of Caiaphas, but the Office of the High Priest.
It is likely that John thought of the Scriptural teachings concerning the role of the High Priest. The Books of Exodus and Leviticus exalt the Office of the Priest, especially the High Priest (Exodus 28-29, 39; Leviticus 8-10). The Book of Malachi also addressed the subject of the Priests. In this last book of the Old Testament canon, the prophet Malachi viewed the Priestly Covenant as God who designed and desired it.
” ‘Then you shall know that I have sent
this commandment to you,
That My covenant with Levi may continue,’
Says the Lord of Hosts.
‘My covenant was with him; one of life and peace,
And I gave them to him that he might fear Me…For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth;
For he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.But you have departed from the way;
You have caused many to stumble at the law.
You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,’
Says the Lord of Hosts.”
Malachi 2:4,5,7,8
John saw the symbolic theological reference to the death of Jesus. The High Priest was right. Jesus would die in place of the nation of Israel. He was the Lord’s unwitting messenger as the High Priest of God. Unfortunately, Caiaphas did not appreciate the significance of his own prophetic statement.
2. The Great Theological Theme of The Atonement
The High Priest of course could not discourse on the subject of the Messiah as Atonement for the sins of Israel. Of all people, he should be the most erudite scholar concerning the doctrine of Atonement. Daily, his priests made sacrifices, and in all of them, the doctrine of atonement was graphically portrayed. Each time an animal was sacrificed, the doctrine of atonement was symbolically taught!
The doctrine of the atonement had far-reaching results. John understood the theological ramifications in a way that the High Priest, with all his religious training, could never understand. The death that the Jews were deliberating would not just be a question of expedience as Caiaphas had suggested! It was in God’s plan that Jesus would die. However, His death was well within the Will of God! He would die – but not because of the wicked plot of evil men! He would die on behalf of the nation of Israel – and more!
John’s theological perspective took in the entire world! Once again, we must ponder over these words that are truly awe-inspiring.
“And not for the nation only,
But also that He would gather together in one
The children of God who were scattered abroad.”
John 11:52
The title “The Children of God” was no longer an exclusive term to be used only with reference to Jews living in Israel. This term would have new significance after the death of Jesus. Let us recall what John wrote at the outset of His Gospel.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave
the right to become children of God,to those
who believe in His Name;
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man,
but of God.”
John 1:11-13
3. The Continuing work of Jesus
The work of Jesus would not end with His death. He still had to gather as one the sheep of His pasture. He still has to make them “one”. There were Jews who were scattered abroad who had yet to hear about their Messiah and how He had atoned for their sins with His own blood!
Caiaphas, the chief priests and the Pharisees who made up the evil Council that plotted the death of Jesus had no idea as to the deeper plans of God. As far as they were concerned, they were just getting rid of Jesus. As far as God was concerned, Jesus is that special Lamb that would take away the sin of the world.