Read:

John 11:46-48

⁴⁶ But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. ⁴⁸ If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Psalms 2:2-4

² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, ³ Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. ⁴ He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Exhortation:

We might expect the Pharisees, who are zealous defenders of the doctrine of resurrection, to be delighted in the news of Lazarus’ resurrection. However, because of their hatred for Jesus, they united with the chief priests, who were primarily Sadducees, who denied resurrection (cf. Acts 5:17).

The synoptic gospels had recorded two earlier incidents in Galilee of raising the dead by Jesus. Now He had raised Lazarus within two miles of the Jewish temple, the seat of Sadducean power. Many would go to Bethany to see this man who was raised from the dead by Jesus (12:10,11). They could no more deny the stories of Christ raising the dead. In essence, Jesus had thrown down the gauntlet to them at their most sensitive spot. And they took it up immediately. They called the Sanhedrin into session in order to deal with Him. Up to this point the major opposition to Jesus had been led by the Pharisees. But from this time on the Sadducees assume charge. They immediately sought to put an end to Jesus’ activities. When the Sanhedrin was assembled, a general discussion ensued. They wondered,  What do we? for this man doeth many miracles (v. 47). (And from the standpoint of the Sadducees the most recent one was the most unforgivable.) They voiced their concern that if they let Jesus alone, all men would believe on Him. They also said, And the Romans shall come, and take away our place and nation (v. 48). Notice that they put place before nation. Jesus was a threat to their places of power among the Jews. The people were already leaving them to follow Jesus. Moreover, they feared that if things would continue as they were, a revolution might break out against Rome. Such could have but one end - a defeat by the Romans, and with it the loss of their place and nation.  They would rather protect their power and place at the expense of Christ.

Thought:

Enemies become friends just to oppose Christ and His truth!

PRAYER

Lord, when I am hated for Your name’s sake, help me to remember You were hated first.