Monday, April 10 – Dan Miller

Caiaphas

Read Matthew 26:3-5, 57-68 and 27:62-66

Reflection ~

So, now we come to the villain of this story – (Cue the sinister music… Dun! Dun! Dun!) – Caiaphas, the Temple High Priest and also head of the Sanhedrin.

Israel was an occupied territory of Rome, so Caiaphas was appointed by the Roman Governor and as such, he held great power and authority. Caiaphas’ father-in-law, Annas, had held the position before him and still wielded lots of influence on the Sanhedrin. And Caiaphas held the position for an uncommon 18 years, which probably speaks to his chummy-ness and collaboration with the Roman government. His responsibilities included controlling the Temple treasury, managing the Temple police and other personnel, performing religious rituals, and–central to our story—he served as head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council and court that considered the case of Jesus.

So when Jesus and his followers rolled into Jerusalem nearly a week earlier and turned the whole town (and quite literally, the Temple) on its ear, Caiaphas’ world of power and privilege was threatened. So he immediately began his campaign with the Sanhedrin to arrest, and execute Jesus, culminating in an illegal middle of the night arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin Court.

Finally, in frustration after a several hours of trumped up witnesses, Caiaphas stands and asks Jesus who He is, saying, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“It is as you say,” replied Jesus. And that was the tipping point they needed to charge Jesus with blasphemy.

The question Caiaphas asked Jesus is the same question before you today. And on that night, in a very real sense, it wasn’t just Jesus who was on trial. With his condemnation of Jesus, Caiaphas condemned himself as well.

Jesus is still on trial with us today. Each of us must answer the question. Caiaphas had his chance, now you have yours…

…Who is this man? What do you say?

“Jesus said … ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die’” (John 11:25–26, ESV)

Prayer ~

Father in Heaven, today I pause to acknowledge your Son Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection covers my sin. Thank you for loving me, forgiving me. I accept your gift of love, mercy and eternal life.  Amen