Hearts Set to Kill Jesus

Engage in sacred Scripture: John 11:45-57.

The Last Sign

Lazarus has risen from the dead, and the news spreads throughout the land. This is the last of seven signs pointing us to Jesus as the Son of God – the Messiah. It was significant and personal. Significant in that this sign revealed that not even death could stop Jesus, and personal because He loved Lazarus and his sisters.

It accomplished something else. The Jewish leaders had had enough, and now they deliberately set their hearts on killing Jesus.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead was no small thing. Many who witnessed this sign chose to believe, while others remained unconvinced. Like the witnesses to the healing of the man born blind, they told the Pharisees what happened. Maybe they were skeptical, hostile, or simply seeking the Pharisees’ take on what was happening.

“Is this really the Son of God?”

The Council

It is no simple thing to call the Council – the Sanhedrin. They needed to know how to respond to Jesus. Those who had reported what happened wanted answers. The assembly was important – the deliberation serious. You can almost hear their troubled souls as they presented the problem:

So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” John 11:47-48 NRSV.

The signs pointing to Jesus as the Messiah became to them a thorn in their flesh. The evidence was clear and true. If they did nothing, then more and more people would believe. They couldn’t allow that because Rome wouldn’t.

Their obligation to point the people to God was hindered by their political power.

It was hard for them to maneuver in powerful positions while foreigners occupied them. Jesus’ growing popularity could ruin everything. A large messianic movement could provoke the Roman government to intervene. Their authority, the Temple, and even the nation’s identity were threatened.

The High Priest

One voice cut through the debate. It belonged to the high priest, Caiaphas. His words would echo for generations to come with their truth:

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” John 11:49-50 NRSV.

Caiaphas meant clearly that Jesus should die so the people would not perish.

In a profound irony, Caiaphas, as the high priest, would prophesy the reason Christ came: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NRSV).

The Plot

After what might have been hours of deliberation, they reached a deadly decision. They set a definite plan in motion to kill Him.

According to John 11:57, Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so they might arrest Him.

Eventually, Judas would give them means and opportunity.

Jesus Waiting

Jesus knew what was happening. It was in the air. Even those preparing for the Passover watched and waited for Jesus to come.

He didn’t.

Meanwhile, Jesus went to Ephraim and waited for God’s perfect timing. It’s true, Jesus was willing to lay down His life but not recklessly. He remained there with His disciples until the perfect time.

Call to Action

Lazarus was raised from the dead! We would expect shouting and rejoicing, but not everyone sees the miracle the same way: not everyone responds the same. The same miracle that opened many hearts to Jesus hardened others.

Take a moment and see what God is doing around you. Ask Him to expose your heart. Are there things in your life that resist Jesus?

Sometimes, following Jesus threatens our comfort, position, or even our plans. In these times, He calls us to trust Him. Maybe it’s time to surrender. “Is this really the Son of God?”

Meanwhile, Jesus is waiting.