Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
If the Serpent had a human face during this entire episode when Jesus is killed, that face would be found among these priests of God’s temple. Caiaphas plotted the death of Jesus long before it happened. Somehow it seems appropriate that Jesus would first be brought to Caiaphas when he is finally taken by the soldiers.
What did Caiaphas think and feel when he saw Jesus brought before him? Jesus was someone who had given sight to the blind, cured lepers of their horrible lingering disease, fed thousands of people with virtually nothing, and raised people from the dead. Perhaps all Caiaphas could see was the threat Jesus’ message represented to the established Jewish religion of legalistic righteousness.
Now that he had Jesus within his power, perhaps Caiaphas felt he could relax again safe in the knowledge that the historic authority of his priestly tribe would remain unchallenged. This upstart who claimed God as his own father would be swept under the rug of history never to be heard from again. Ahhh… it will be so nice not to have to deal with challenges to the Sabbath laws!
As events unfold from this point forward Caiaphas is seen pulling the strings of the Roman governor and using his position of power to maneuver the Jews into condemning Jesus. He had plenty of work ahead of him before this would be over. Even then, the Rug of History would prove to be inadequate for covering up the murder of God’s Son.
Food for Thought: Caiaphas, the High Priest, found himself in the position of literally fighting against God. How do you suppose he felt in the months and years following this moment in history and what can we learn from Caiaphas?
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Caiaphas may have thought he was in control but he was not. God used his evil intentions to bring Jesus to the cross to die for the sin of humanity. One thing I learn is that God is in control even when we do not see it or think that we are the ones in control. We cannot manipulate God. I also see that God can use the evil intentions of others to bring about His good.
Rich
Great comment as always!
Romans 8:28 sums that truth up well.
Caiaphas was in Jerusalem when Peter commanded the lame man “ in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” He saw the gospel spread rather than quenched. Gamaliel, a doctor of the law and a Pharisee, figured out that, if this gospel that these “unlearned” men were preaching were of God, the Pharisees would not be able to “overthrow it” (see Acts 5:33-39). I think that Caiaphas figured out that his fight against Jesus was like throwing fuel on the fire. The more Christ’s followers are persecuted, the more the gospel is spread and His followers multiplied (see Acts 8:1-4).
Excellent comment JEC