Nothing Can Oppose the Cross

 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death (John 11: 46-53).

The resurrection of Lazarus was an undeniable testimony that confirmed the divinity of Jesus and identified Him as the Christ. It was not like a person whose vital signs terminated on an operating room table for a few minutes. This was the resurrection of a four-day old corpse. No one who witnessed this kind of sign could ignore it. Many of those following Christ believed Him and became disciples… “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him” (John 11:45). Others were offended by Him... “But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done“. This latter group of followers was no longer content with efforts to discredit Jesus. Now they sought to end His ministry by ending His life. They were so consumed with hatred they were blind to the truth that Jesus had power over death. Jesus proved that ending His life would not end His ministry. He would return and His disciples would spread the gospel everywhere. The Jewish elders somehow believed the Romans would be immune to the testimony of Christ and would be provoked to destroy the Jewish nation. But in the midst of such blindness and confusion the Holy Spirit spoke through the high priest Caiaphas. He interrupted the Sanhedrin’s confusion with an involuntary word from heaven… “One man should die for the people”. The Spirit inspired John the evangelist to further define the truth that Caiaphas had uttered unconsciously… “He prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad”. The Spirit spoke of the atonement of Christ for sinners, but the hard-hearted elders heard a call to take matters into their own hands, so… “They made plans to put him to death”. How ironic! Those who sought to block the plan of salvation became an active part of God’s plan. The Spirit shows us today that when it comes to the divine plan of salvation, nothing can oppose the Cross.

Today’s scripture confirms an important Spiritual truth. God is sovereign over the plans and motives of people… “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). In today’s text, the Teacher reveals how God’s plan included the evil hearts of the chief priests and Pharisees. The Spirit teaches here the truth that God uses both good and evil, and even the things that do not make sense to us, to accomplish His good and perfect plan… “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble” (Proverbs 16:4). God’s sovereignty extends over both good and evil people, over believers and unbelievers alike. Often the most visible evidence of His glory comes through His power over those whose rejection and rebellion of His gospel have sealed their eternal destruction… “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” (Romans 9:22). God’s sovereignty ensured Christ’s victory at the cross, and God’s sovereignty ensures that Christ’s disciples may continue to enjoy the blessings and the glory of His victory every day!

Think on this truth for a moment. Are you under attack for your faith? Is there an unrelenting opposition to the vision He’s given you to serve Him and to share His gospel? According to the truth about the sovereignty of God and the sure victory of the cross, you will be victorious in the end… ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Our testimony cannot be silenced because we believe that even in the worst of times God is in control.

As we grow up into Christ our determination to share His gospel increases because we know…

Nothing Can Oppose the Cross.