IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around The Cross: The Political High Priests

“In looking at the faces around the cross, which do you think was the most sinister?  On whose shoulders above all others rests the responsibility for this supreme crime of history? Whose hands are the most stained by this innocent blood? ”

These questions raised by Clovis Chappel, a preacher of the early 20^th century, are interesting and intriguing.

Was it the betraying Judas?  The denying Peter? The cowardly Pilate?  The clamoring Jewish crowd? The suborned witnesses?  The brutal Roman soldiers?  

Let me suggest is was shared by the High Priests–Annas and Caiaphas.

Biblically there was a succession of High Priests through the tribe of Levi.  However, secular history records that during the Roman occupation that High Priests were approved and appointed by Rome.  It had become a political position, sometimes given as a favor, or bought with money.

Caiaphas, who was the High Priest who had married the daughter of Annas the former High Priest (John 18:13). It seems Annas still imposed significant influence. In fact, they may be ruled joined.  Twice Luke in his writings refers to them together as High Priests.  When Jesus was arrested he was first brought to Annas.  Then sent to Caiaphas.

Caiaphas was of the Jewish sect of the Sadducees.  They were the aristocratic sect.  They controlled the temple.  Unlike the Pharisees, they denied all things supernatural–angels, resurrection of the body and immorality of the soul.   They were the religious liberals and modernists of their day.  But they were willing to become political allies with the Pharisees in order to eliminate Jesus.

Jesus was a threat to their way of life.  To their comfort. Ease.  And wealth.  They were afraid of losing their political power and positions.  Afraid of offending Rome.  Afraid of losing their temple revenue, should the Romans shut it down. You recall twice Jesus cleansed the temple by driving out  the money changers.  Undoubtedly this infuriated Caiphas.

Secular history strong suggests that Caiaphas was a corrupt man.  Cozy with Rome.  And a political ally with Pontus Pilate.  It was in his best interest of get rid of Jesus.  In fact, he looked at it very pragmatically.  John records that it was Caiaphas “who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”

So who do you think paid Judas to betray Jesus?  Who bribed the witnesses to give false testimony?  Who was behind the scenes and turned the people from shouting “Hosannas,” to crucify him in less than a week?  Who was worried about losing revenue from the temple money changers?  And orchestrated an illegal trial in front of “kangaroo court”?

Sadly these men who were supposed to be God’s men were ungodly.  Unscrupulous. Unprincipled. Unrighteous.  In a word they were wicked.  Evil conspirators who used religion for their own selfish gain. Pompous Priests who showed an hypocritical concern for the purity of the Passover.

When Friday ended, Jesus was dead.  Buried. Soon to be forgotten.  Or so they thought.  What Annas and Caiaphas didn’t know….Sunday was coming!  Wouldn’t you love to have seen their faces when they heard the tomb was empty?  When news spread through Jerusalem of Jesus sightings?   When a cause that seemed lifeless and listless sprung to life again? Literally!

Now it is easy to write and read about these profane Priests. To see their selfishness. To see through their hypocrisy.  To condemn their corruption.

What is more difficult is to see our own flaws. Our weakness.  Our sinfulness.  To admit there have been times we have sold out Jesus.  Hid behind a clock of religiosity.  Possessed a form of godliness, but denied its power.  Been greedy for dishonest gain.  Coveted position.  Clung to power.  Sought Prestige. Even in the church.  Haven’t most of us had our Fridays of spiritual failure?

But thank God for Sunday!  For the risen Savior. His reviving hope.   His redeeming power. His regenerating promise.  And restoring life.  And thank God He rules and reigns!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman