Saturday after Exaudi

Scripture: St. John 11:45-57 (NKJV)

11:45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 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.”

49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 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.” 51 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, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

55 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

Devotion

When Lazarus was raised from the dead, the enemies of our Lord became only more enraged. “Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.” This is no longer a fury of the moment; it is a satanic hatred that plots murder. The gift of life for Lazarus fills the Pharisees with a monstrous desire to destroy the One who is life and salvation. And there was no lack of those who were eager to serve their evil, for their response to seeing Lazarus alive was not to repent, but to run to the Pharisees and make the event known to them.

But even in the midst of their murderous conspiracy, Caiaphas, being high priest, prophesied: “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.” St. John thus wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “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.”

We cannot know whether Caiaphas and those around him had any inkling of the true meaning of his words, but still they were fulfilled. The fulfillment of the Word was not dependent on sinful men; the Word was fulfilled according to the will of the Triune God. And the Church is gathered from among the nations, and shall be preserved against all the treachery of the evil one, and the Lord of heaven and earth will gather in people to abide in His peace forever.

We pray: Almighty, Everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will toward Thee, and to serve Thy Majesty with a pure heart; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.