5th Week of Lent (C) : Saturday 9th April 2022

What did Jesus do that the high priest, Caiaphas, prophesied Jesus to be that “one man to die for the people”? (John 11:50). Hadn’t Jesus raised Lazarus from death? (vv 43-44). Didn’t the Jewish leaders acknowledge that Jesus had been “working all these signs”? (v 47).

The leaders were all agreed that if they let Jesus “go on in this way, everybody will believe in Him” (v 48). So, what if this happens? Will the Jewish leaders lose their authoritative voice and influence over the people? As if to cover up the representative insecurity of the Jewish leaders, Caiaphas put forth seemingly practical reasoning —  that if Jesus does not die, then the whole nation and the “Holy Place” (the Temple) will “be destroyed” by the Romans (vv 48, 50).

Tomorrow is the beginning of Holy Week. The prophecy of Caiaphas will be fulfilled on Good Friday. However, St John says that Jesus did not just die for the Jewish nation only; he died “to gather together in unity the scattered children of God” (v 52).

Therefore, whoever we are, wherever we are, however, we are in our relationship with God, the Church and one another, let us remember that in Christ’s death, we are united as the beloved children of God. So let us be determined to “shake off” all our sins and resolutely journey with God and one another with a “new heart” and a “new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:31).

Lord, Thank You for loving us so much that You gave and sacrificed on the Cross, Your only Son.