Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 23, 2024

Date:   Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  John 11:45-56

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do?This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So, from that day on they planned to kill him.

So, Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from the Gospel of John immediately follows the account of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. So, when the text begins with the mention of Jews who had come to Mary, they are referring to those who had traveled to grieve the passing of Lazarus with his sisters, Mary and Martha.

The news of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead reached the Sanhedrin almost immediately. They articulated their fear of Jesus’ fame and power and how Rome might respond to His rise. Caiaphas, the high priest proposes that Jesus’ death would save the nation from Roman ire. So, the Sanhedrin decided that day that Jesus’ life must be sacrificed for the good of others.

Jesus’ actions following this decision by the Sanhedrin indicate that Jesus was aware of their plot.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What is Jesus’ threat to my modern day “status quo”?  

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, You came among us in obedience to the Father to reconcile us to the Father and to conquer sin and death. As our redeemer, You sought to reunite us with the Father through your teachings, through your actions, and through your obedient and selfless sacrifice upon the cross for our sins though You yourself are sinless. You call us as your disciples, to deny ourselves, to pick up our crosses, and to follow after You. Send your Spirit to stir within us the resolve to live as You call us to live, to surrender ourselves to your loving, merciful and sacred heart. Grant that we may embrace the salvation offered from the Father, through You, and in the Spirit. Amen.