Jewels From JohnExemple

So Close - Yet So Far 

“Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman Governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.” John 18:28 (NLT) 

The time when Jesus was arrested was the exact time when the people of Israel were celebrating the Passover festival. Every year as they celebrated the Passover, in remembrance of their freedom from slavery in Egypt, little did they realize that it was only the sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, who could truly set one free from their bondage to sin. 

In John Chapter 11, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and many commenced to put their faith in Him, it agitated the Pharisees and the Chief Priests so much that they planned to put Jesus to death. When the matter was brought to Caiaphas the High Priest here’s what he prophesied. “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed. He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together, and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.” John 11:49-52 (NLT) 

The irony of the situation was, that as the people of Israel (including the accusers of Jesus) prepared to observe the Passover, Caiaphas, as the High Priest, not only put Jesus on trial but also handed him over to Pilate to be sentenced to death. By doing so, Caiaphas unknown to himself, handed over the Lamb of God to be slain for the sins of all mankind. 

Once a year it was the practice of the High Priest to enter the ‘Most Holy Place’ behind the veil and offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and for the sins of the people. He would bring the blood and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, seeking atonement for the sins of both himself, and of the people.

Hebrews Chapter 9 beautifully portrays all that Jesus did when He shed His blood on the cross for us. Jesus became the ‘Perfect High Priest’ who entered the ‘Most Holy Place’ with His own precious blood shed, once for all, entered the heavens by His resurrection, became the mediator of the New Covenant, bringing us eternal redemption from our sins, so that we may partake of His eternal inheritance. 

Is it not a despairing thought, then, that there are many today, like Caiaphas and the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, who are so close to the Truth, and yet fail to recognize Him (Jesus), only because of their unbelief?

Here’s God’s word of assurance from John 1:12, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (NLT)