Encounters with Jesus 1: Caiaphas – Threatened (Video)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.

Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.

March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened

March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship

March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come

March 27: Peter – Tested

April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed

April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations

April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal

April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised

April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion

Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles.  As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.

This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened
How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?

I often get stewed up inside.  As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”

But then we need to ask: “Who is in control?  Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”

Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.

This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.

After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.

Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story.
Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly