Lesson 5

The fourth messianic miracle was completed with Jesus’ 33rd recorded miracle. When Jesus raised Lazerus from the dead, the Jewish authorities were completely overwhelmed by his miracles and lepers to be confirmed healed. They could plainly see Jesus performed many miraculous signs, but were afraid the people would follow him and they would lose control of their country and temple. The Jewish authorities found Jesus worthy of death when he forgave the sins of the paralized man, now they sought a way to kill him and actively plotted his death.

John 11:45-54 New Living Translation
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” 49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. 53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. 54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

 Jesus did not want the Jewish leaders to accept his messianic miracles. He deliberately said and did things that ensured they would reject him. When healing the paralized man, Jesus knew the Jews would call him a blasphemer if he said the man’s sins were forgiven. Knowing the Jews needed to reject him so that the scripture could be fulfilled, Jesus made a similar statement before the Chief Priest. His words would condemn him to death. Why was Jesus determined to die?

Mark 14:61-64 Common English Bible
61 But Jesus was silent and didn’t answer. Again, the high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed one?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? 64 You’ve heard his insult against God. What do you think?” They all condemned him. “He deserves to die!”