John 11:49-57: a reflection

49But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples. 55Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56Then they sought for Jesus and spoke with one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?” 57Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.

As the authorities plot against Jesus, the high priest Caiaphas makes a coldly political calculation: It is better for us that one man should die for the people than that the whole nation perish. He means it cynically, that it is expedient to sacrifice Jesus to preserve their position. But John sees something deeper at work: Caiaphas did not say this of himself, but being high priest, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the scattered children of God. Caiaphas spoke a truth far greater than he knew.

Notice the strange thing happening here. Caiaphas intends cynical politics; God turns his very words into a prophecy of the gospel. The high priest meant to plot a death for selfish ends; God meant that death for the salvation of the world. Even the scheming of Jesus' enemies, even a cynical man's calculated words, God bent to serve his saving purpose. What Caiaphas meant for the preservation of his own power, God meant for the redemption of many.

That reveals how completely God rules, even over the plots and words of those who oppose him. Nothing, not even the malice and scheming of enemies, falls outside his sovereign purpose; he can turn even a cynical man's calculation into an announcement of grace, even a plot to kill into the means of salvation. When you see evil scheming, or feel small before the schemes of those in power, remember Caiaphas: God rules over it all, and can bend even the worst intentions to serve his good ends. The enemies meant Jesus' death for evil; God meant it for the saving of the world. Nothing escapes his sovereign hand.

Lord, Caiaphas coldly calculated that one man should die for the people, meaning it for his own ends, and yet you turned his very words into a prophecy that Jesus would die to gather your scattered children into one. Thank you that you rule over everything, even the plots and words of those who oppose you. When I see evil scheming, or feel small before the schemes of those in power, remind me that nothing falls outside your sovereign purpose, that you can bend even the worst intentions to serve your good ends. The enemies meant the cross for evil; you meant it for the saving of the world. Help me trust your sovereign hand over all things.