Honesty and Corruption – John 18 v 14-21
Caiaphas the high priest had been secretly conspiring to fulfil the prophesy he had made as High Priest without understanding its significance. V14 ‘Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.’ John 11:49-52 Once Jesus was taken into the presence of Annas the previous high priest and father in law of Caiaphas he was immediately questioned about his followers and his teaching. v19 Annas had been high priest from AD 6-15. “Annas was patriarch of the high priestly family, and many still considered him the ‘real’ high priest even though Roman officials considered Caiaphas to be the high priest at the time.” (NIV Study Bible, 2011) In contrast to the secret plotting of the high priestly inner circle, Jesus had been completely open and public about his teaching, purpose and identity. ‘”I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “ I have always taught in synagogues or at the temple where all Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.” Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”’ vv20-21 Annas was looking to trip Jesus up with a statement they could legitimately crucify him for. Jesus wisely simply asked him to bring forward evidence of what he had said that was self-incriminating. None existed and so they resorted to violence. v22 What challenges does this set the church or ourselves as individuals about speaking openly and honestly despite opposition?