The Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John John 11:47-57   by Samuel E. Ward   February 19, 2012   Introduction:  Review   V.  The "The Fisherman's Story" Contains the Record of Several Manifestations of the Opposition Against Jesus, John 9:1-11:57   A. Opposition to Jesus Was Manifested After the Healing of the Blind Man, John 9:1-41 B. Opposition to Jesus Was Manifested After the Good Shepherd Discourse, John 10:1-21 C. Opposition to Jesus Was Manifested in the Debate in Solomon's Colonnade, John 10:22-42.  D. Opposition to Jesus Was Manifested in the in the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead, John 11:1-46. E. Opposition to Jesus Was Manifested in the Plotting of the Sanhedrin to Kill Jesus, John 11:47-57.   1. The Sanhedrin is called into session by desperate priests and Pharisees, John 11:47-53.   The Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court in matters only allowed by the Roman government.  Rome granted considerable latitude in religious and civil matters to the Sanhedrin but could overrule any decision it made.  Mostly, the Sanhedrin protected and enforced matters related to the Mosaic laws and its application.  It had no authority to impose the death penalty but did influence others clandestinely to start mob actions that led to stonings as in the case of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It was composed of seventy representatives from among priests, elders in the Jewish community, Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes.  The high priest was usually a Sadducee who generally sought to keep peace with Rome.  Caiaphas, the high priest during the incidents recorded by John here, was a Sadducee.    a. The focus of the meeting was Jesus' miracles and their possible effects, John 11:47-48.   (John 11:47-48 NIV)  Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. {48} If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."   1) Everyone will believe in Him. 2) The Romans will take away authority of the chief priests and Pharisees. 3) Rome will dissolve the Jewish nation.   b. The anxiety of the chief priests and Pharisees was rebuked by Caiaphas, John 11:49.   (John 11:49 NIV)  Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all!   c. The justification for destroying Jesus was the preservation of their nation.   (John 11:50 NIV)  You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."   d. Caiaphas was unintentionally prophetic is his statements, John 11:51-52.   (John 11:51-53 NIV)  He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, {52} and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. {53} So from that day on they plotted to take his life.   1) Relative to this insight provided by the apostle John we might refer to Jesus' own prophecy, John 10:14-16.   (John 10:14-16 NIV)  "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- {15} just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. {16} I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.   2) Relative to the real purposes being served by the death of Jesus, these are noted by Peter in the first sermon preached after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Acts 2:22-24, 36.   (Acts 2:22-24, 36 NIV)  "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. {23} This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. {24} But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. . . {36} "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."   §  He had been accredited by God by His miracles, wonders and signs. §  He had been handed over to them to certify their own wickedness but to accomplish God's purposes to redeem wicked people like themselves. §  He had been raised from the dead to show God's power over death and wickedness. §  He was forever and with complete certitude proven to be Who He said He was, Lord and Christ.   e. The result was that they committed themselves to finding a way to kill Jesus, John 11:53.   (John 11:53 NIV)  So from that day on they plotted to take his life.   3. Jesus retreats to Ephraim to avoid the plots and await the Passover, John 11:54-55.   (John 11:54-55 NIV)  Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. {55} When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.   4. The chief priests and Pharisees order vigilance on Jesus' whereabouts, John 11:56-57.   (John 11:56-57 NIV)  They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" {57} But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.   Conclusion                            1. All who would seek to discredit, dilute, dismiss and disobey the gospel of Jesus Christ and its righteous commands (like the Pharisees and Sadducees) should be aware of this curse upon them.    (Isa 5:20-21 NIV)  Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. {21} Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.   2. Any power that seeks to diminish or destroy the influence and ministry of Christ and His people in its jurisdiction (like the Pharisees and Sadducees) should be aware that Jesus shall be the last King standing.    (Phil 2:6-11 NIV)  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! {9} Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   3. Just when it appears that the world has finally won the war against unwanted God and His  rule, the vision which the apostle John experienced on the isle of Patmos will become fact.   (Rev 17:12-14 NIV)  "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. {13} They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. {14} They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."   (Rev 19:11-16 NIV)  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. {12} His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. {13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. {14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. {15} Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. {16} On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.