The Monday after Laetare Sunday
Posted on March 16, 2026 by under
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
Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44). This, in particular, was the sign which caused many Jews to believe in Him. It was also the sign that greatly motivated the Pharisees and the chief priests to plot His death (John 12:9-11). They thought that Jesus was building grassroots support so that He could eventually mount a rebellion against the Romans and declare Himself the King of the Jews. False messiahs had tried this before and brought death and destruction upon the land. Indeed, there were some among the common people who had this same mistaken hope about Jesus’ purpose. After He miraculously fed the five thousand, they tried to take Him by force and make Him king (John 6:15).
In both cases Jesus withdrew, making clear that this was not the kind of king that He came to be. He did not come to overthrow tyrannical governments or bring earthly prosperity. He came, as Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied, to die on behalf of the people, so that all who believe in Him might be gathered together into His kingdom to receive heavenly bread and eternal life.
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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.
