Bible Studies

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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.” (John 11:49-50, New King James Version)

All four Gospels give an account of the events that occurred during the week before Jesus was handed over to the Romans to be Crucified. The importance of these events were the reason they are recorded in each of the four gospels. The Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the the single most important event in all of human history. Even though each gospel account gives a slightly different perspective of the events of that week, all of them agree on one central theme; that Jesus came to this earth to die a sacrificial death, he was buried in a borrowed tomb and that HE rose again on the third day. This is our only way to salvation.

Jesus knew what was going to happen, he was not taken by surprise. The events that were to unfold, were orchestrated by God himself to bring about the salvation of the world. Let us now look down the annals of time and watch as these events unfold.


Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:3-5, New King James Version)

The plot of the chief priests to kill Jesus was part of the plan that God had written out and revealed through the prophets hundreds of years before. Jesus was not only the sacrifice, he was the one that wrote out the script. Nothing that occurred was by chance, it was all ordained beforehand that the Son of Man would die as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. No one took Jesus life, he laid it down freely in obedience to his Father.

Now, you might be thinking, just what had happened to make the religious leaders to plot to kill Jesus all of a sudden? Well, if you read in the Gospel of John, you will find the answer. In the eleventh chapter of John's gospel, you will find that prior to this, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus did this miracle, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. This was astonishing, because the Jews did not believe a body could be brought back to life after being dead for four days. Therefore, when Lazarus was raised from the dead, many people began believing that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. As a result, the religious leaders of the day, became jealous and they feared that they would lose their power and position to Jesus. Therefore, in order to keep their position of power, the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus.


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.” (John 11:45-48, New King James Version)

The religious leaders of Jesus day immediately began plotting from that time to take Jesus life. However, it is important to remember that their plotting was foretold by the prophets. Even the current high priest Caiaphas, prophesied that the death of Jesus would be for the salvation of the entire nation of Israel.



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 11:49-53, New King James Version)
Jesus knew what was in their hearts, he knew that the religious leaders were seeking to take his life. Therefore, Jesus withdrew to the country with his disciples.


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.
And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 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?” 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. (John 11:54-57, New King James Version)

Jesus death on the cross did not just happen to him. It was not an accident nor was it the result of the plotting of a handful of men. Jesus Death on the cross was the very reason he came. It was the culmination of a plan that was put into place by God before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. You should remember that everything Jesus suffered during his Crucifixion was well documented in the prophets. Nothing happened by chance, it was written out and fully orchestrated by God to bring about the salvation of mankind. God prepared a way for us to be reconciled to him, before we needed saving. Jesus is the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world. He died, so that we could live, he gave his life's blood as a sacrifice for us, so that we could be called the sons and daughters of God.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9, New King James Version)

So I ask you, do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior today? Do you want to know him? Today is the day of Salvation. Call upon him now and be saved. For it is written;



that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10, New King James Version) For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13, New King James Version)

Let us Pray:
My gracious and most precious Heavenly Father,

Right now as best I know how, I admit to you that I am a sinner. I confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God and I believe in my heart that you have raised him from the dead. I repent of my sins, I ask that you forgive me and that you will come into my life and save me. I surrender my heart and life to you. Please help me to live a life that is holy and acceptable in your sight. I love you Lord, thank you Jesus for dying on the cross so that I might live. Thank you for saving me. Help me to live for you. In Jesus Name I pray, amen


Today's Scripture
John 11: 49-54

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