It Was Expedient For Them

"Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, 'What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that 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. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death." (John 11:45-53)

It was expedient for them that one man should die, and for the nation of Israel, and for the children of God who were scattered abroad; but not for Caiaphas, the chief priests, or the Pharisees to make happen. This is a good example of "a house divided against itself cannot stand". God revealed to the high priest what would happen for that nation and the children scattered. The high priest, and the other leaders, took that revelation and used it to retain their place. They made it happen because they were not able, by choice, "to listen to My (His) word".

Although in the position of high priest that year, he and the leaders were yet listening to the temptations that Satan tried and failed to tempt Jesus with (Matthew 4:1-11). They used the truth that God had revealed to serve themselves. God help us!

So, let's use the keys of the Kingdom that Jesus revealed to His disciples to remove the mountain so we may see clearly; asking God to prune us so that we produce much fruit of righteousness in Christ Jesus, through faith in Him. Lord, let no one eat fruit from me ever again, but from the true vine, Jesus Christ.