(John 11:45-53[HCSB])

45 Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what He did believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do since this man does many signs? 48 If we let Him continue in this way, everyone will believe in Him! Then the Romans will come and remove both our place and our nation.”

49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

The consequences

There were to be grave consequences for the Son of Man. The chain of events that culminated in the miraculous raising of Lazarus proved to be the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. While it is unlikely that we will be crucified openly for our beliefs in the immediate future, it is very likely that the current persecution and marginalizing of Christ followers will continue, and indeed increase.

There are many, I am sure, who would like to be rid of Christians because they pose a direct threat to chaos and anarchy. Anarchy may masquerade as law and chaos may disguise itself as order. But the truth is this:

The person of Jesus Christ will weigh heavy on the hearts of men in these ending times, and many will respond in anger, disappointment and outright hatred. The Devil may be the author of darkness and confusion, but it is we that are his scribes.

Prophetically in verse 48: “If we let Him continue in this way, everyone will believe in Him,” suggested that Jewish authority understood the power of the Messiah Jesus, but that their hearts were hardened against Him so that the will of the Father might prevail. This purpose is exposed in verse 52: “and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God.”

In this age we will again see the scattered children of God united to glorify the Son.