July 20, 2023
Panic In the Priesthood
“Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, ‘What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’”
John 11:47-48 (NASB)
If you have ever worked, you often see those who were willing to stab anyone in the back. This is because something interfered with their chance to get ahead or maintain a position. I remember many situations. It was normally centered on prestige, power, or money. The Jewish leadership was threatened by Jesus growing power and fame. They had to get a grip on it fast.
“Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, ‘What are we doing?” The Sanhedrin had two factions of people; the Sadducees, and the Pharisees. These two groups often disagreed on everything. One thing they both agreed was the Pentateuch’s authority. MacArthur reflects: “The Pharisees were devoted to the Law (both the inspired Old Testament Scripture and their human traditions); the Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative. The Pharisees affirmed the resurrection of bodies and the existence of angels, both which the Sadducees rejected (Matthew 22:23; Acts 23:8). The Pharisees were ultranationalists and chafed under the yoke of Rome; the Sadducees were primarily from the middle class of Jewish society; the Sadducees tended to be wealthy aristocrats.”[1] One group believed in the resurrection and other didn’t. This is important since the miracle Jesus just performed was raising a person from the dead. In a vote the Sadducees would win. Perhaps this is why the movement to rid Jesus from them moved so quickly. In the face of a miracle, they still wouldn’t believe it. “What are we doing?” The answer was simple; nothing. Their popularity was fading fast. Jesus’ fast-growing group were fascinated. Because of this, the Jews’ future was in danger. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” The Sanhedrin’s concern was Jesus’ signs and miracles would undermine their “power, position, and privilege” (MacArthur). They also feared this rising movement would stir trouble with the Romans, who would therefore take their power away because they couldn’t manage their own people. “Note the order here when “place” (job) is put before nation (patriotism), for all the world like modern politicians who make the fate of the country turn on their getting the jobs which they are seeking.”[2] Folks, it still happens today.
Today, we see those in government with honest or dishonest intentions. Some go in with the attitude of listening. Others go with the intention of appeasing a certain faction. Each one feeds a different group. Some groups try to make our country better, while others seek to destroy it with acts of socialism, and eventual communism. I have friends from other countries who have said before anyone decides on these extreme views, to sit and talk with them first. They live in socialistic countries. There are others who remain in government for the sole purpose of power, and control, who previously had none. The government supports their lifestyle. Jesus was breaking the mold of both. But any time kick back begins, you can be sure there is a plan to thwart the efforts. It even happened to Jesus.
[1] (John MacArthur, 2006), 482.
[2] Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 11:48). Broadman Press.