The High Priest Wants Jesus to Die!
- Albrecht…Lent Midweek 4…John 18:12-14,19-24…The High Priest Wants Jesus to Die
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people… 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Grace, Mercy, and Lenten peace be yours from God our Father, and our Crucified Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
INJ Who abided by the Father’s will to die, so that we might have redemption through His name, DFR:
Cardinal Richelieu, Richard Neville Duke of Warwick, and Rasputin. Each of these men cemented their place in history through what we would call shadow authority. Shadow authority refers to the individuals behind the scenes who wield great power or authority, despite not being the in-charge ruler.
Cardinal Richelieu was known as the Red Eminence due to the red clothing of the cardinals. He consolidated power in France, creating a strong centralized state. He was responsible for checking the Hapsburg dynasty’s power, snuff out the rebellion of Protestant Huguenots, and paved the way for King Louis XIV to create an absolute monarchy. Cardinal Richelieu was one of the most influential figures in 17th century France, but he was a shadow authority as he was still beholden to the King and the Pope. He is also the inventor of the butter knife.
Richard Neville, Duke of Warwick was known as the Kingmaker – and that tells you everything you need to know about him. Through his position and marriage, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world, second only to the King. Neville was responsible for deposing two kings – hence the nickname Kingmaker, and played both sides in the War of the Roses. He was an expert at playing in the court of public opinion and choosing which side would benefit himself.
Rasputin is probably the most well known out of all these figures. He held an unnerving influence over Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra by seemingly treating their hemophiliac son, Alexei. Rasputin’s influence and barbaric behavior, played a crucial role in the decline of the Romanov popularity and subsequent Russian Revolution.
In our text for this evening, we have another character who wants Jesus to die, and he also served as a shadow authority – Annas. Annas served as high priest for 10 years before he was deposed by a Roman procurator. However, his own sons followed him also serving as high priests – including his son-in-law, Caiaphas, with whom you are very familiar. As the former high priest and the patriarch of the high priestly family, Annas held tremendous power and influence, even though he no longer held the office. Caiaphas felt compelled to send Jesus before his father-in-law before hosting his own trial.
One thing we can note right off the bat is that both Caiaphas and Annas were on the same page – they both want Jesus to die. Caiaphas is the one who said that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. Annas wholeheartedly agreed. We know this because in Acts 4, Annas is still involved in trying to snuff out the Gospel. Neither one, though bothered to consider whether or not this Gospel was worth listening to.
Annas’ line of questioning surrounded Jesus’ teaching and His disciples. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what this questioning looked like – the Scribes and Pharisees had been doing this questioning for the majority of His ministry. The purpose was not to learn, or know more, but to find a weak spot in Jesus’ defense. Were Jesus’ disciples planning a coup, or a rebellion? Were they going to lead an uprising during the Passover? Is there anything Jesus will admit to that can make Him worthy of death? That is Annas’ purpose.
It’s not much different from what we see today, is it? People try their hardest to examine the teaching of Christ, the behavior of His disciples to try and justify what they want Jesus to be. Caiaphas and Annas wanted Jesus to be their scapegoat and save their authority from being taken by the Romans. Satan wanted Jesus to be a failure and to die a meaningless death. People today want Jesus to be the reason they can live in sin – “Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality!” “Jesus doesn’t speak on abortion!” “Jesus doesn’t care if I live with someone before marriage!” The truth is, they don’t care about what Jesus actually teaches, or what Jesus actually came here to do – the same way Caiaphas and Annas didn’t really care about His teaching, or His purpose. The world will always and only care about Jesus insomuch as it benefits their sinful flesh.
So then, what do you want Jesus to be? The truth is, we have been guilty of the same sin. We will take Jesus’ words on some things, but when His Word speaks on a sinful vice of ours, well then if Jesus didn’t say it Himself, it is okay for me to do. It is picking and choosing which side we want to be on, depending on which one makes me look better. The problem is, it plays right into the hands of Satan who wants nothing more than to make Christ’s death for you, pointless. We must always be on our guard, asking, “Who is controlling my life? What is God’s plan for me?” and not, “How can I make God fit my life.”
Thankfully, Jesus saw through Annas’ line of questioning and desire for His death. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”
Jesus had nothing to hide. His disciples weren’t planning something in secret, nor did He keep His teachings from anyone. Anyone could hear His words and understand that He came to be their Savior from sin. It wasn’t what Annas wanted to hear. Annas’ shadow authority failed to find a reason for Jesus to die. So, Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas in order to put Jesus to death in an illegal manner.
The reason Annas’ shadow authority failed? There was an authority even greater at play – the Father. Jesus would be put to death, not as Annas, Caiaphas, and Satan wanted, but just as the Old Testament predicted. Jesus would be led as an innocent Lamb to the slaughter – the only one who was truly without blemish or spot, but perfectly fit to be the sacrifice for sin on behalf of all people (Isaiah 53). Jesus would be laid upon the cross, forsaken by God as is the just punishment for sin, and die in shame and none of His bones broken (Psalm 22). All of it was to accomplish the impossible. So that, As far as the East is from the West, so far does He remove our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). The Apostle Paul says it beautifully, For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11). Thank God that Christ died according to God’s plan to give us forgiveness of sins and new life, a life that lasts forever. Amen.