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Lesson 31 - ONE MAN MUST DIE FOR THE NATION

John 11:45-57
Key Verse: 11:50

ONE MAN MUST DIE FOR THE NATION

John 11:45-57 #31

Key Verse: 11:50

What was the result of the raising of Lazarus from death? Many of the Jews who had come to mourn with Mary saw what Jesus did and put their faith in him. Those who believed could see the glory of God through this sign. Some had already decided not to believe. They did not care about the truth. They did not care that Jesus had changed sorrow into joy and death into life and doubt into faith. They did not want to be changed. They were distressed by Jesus’ ministry. They did not see the hand of God working because they did not want to see it. They reported to the Pharisees. The Chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. The Jewish leaders expressed concern. “Here is this man performing miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him.” They were not interested in truth; they only cared about what was to their own advantage. So they looked for an excuse to kill him.

Caiaphas, the high priest came up with the answer. He said, “You know nothing at all. You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” Killing Jesus was the expedient thing to do. He was too popular and his popularity was creating problems. Caiaphas spoke a deeper truth than he realized. Jesus would indeed die for the nation and for the scattered children of God. John the writer saw his words as prophetic. He was the high priest, so God in his sovereign wisdom used his mouth to speak the truth. Jesus would die for the people of Israel; he would die for the sins of the world. Because of his death for sins, we who believe in him do not die in sin. We live with him.

God is in control of the events of history. God was controlling the events of Jesus’ suffering and death. The Jews intended it for evil, to kill an innocent man, Jesus; but God used it for good, for the saving of many souls. Jesus died for the sins of the world. He died for my sins. He died in my place.

Jesus picked the time. He would die at the Passover time to be the Passover lamb. God is in control, not the Sanhedrin or the high priest.



Study Questions

ONE MAN MUST DIE FOR THE NATION

John 11:45-57 # 31
Key Verse: 11:50

* For the nation and for all the scattered people of God (45-53)

1. What had Jesus done in Bethany? What were the consequences of this miraculous sign? Did the Sanhedrin acknowledge the facts about Jesus' work? Why were they so upset by him? (45-47)

2. What excuse did they give for opposing him? What was the skewed logic of this excuse? What can we learn here about sinful mankind? (47-48)

3 . Who was high priest that year? What did he imply as a solution to the dilemma of the Jews? (49-50) How did he justify the proposed murder of an innocent man?

4. What prophetic words did this high priest say? How did God use this high priest to prepare world and the disciples for the death of Jesus? What principle concerning God's work can we discern here?

5. What does it mean to bring together and make one the scattered children of God? (51) How does Jesus death do this?

* He no longer went about publically (54-57)

6. After this, where did Jesus and his disciples go? What was the time? Why were people waiting him in Jerusalem? What did the Pharisees say about him?

7. What can we learn about the work of God?
 
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