John 10-11, Psalm 143

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize 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 ‭11:49-53‬)

I’m sensing a lot of possibilities in the verses above. Reader, pay attention! Caiaphas speaks as a prophet on this occasion, but does he speak as an authentic prophet of the Most High God? Or does he speak as a prophet only because it is expected of anyone holding the office of high priest? Are there other reasons John the gospel writer concludes, “He did not say this on his own...?”

If his is an authentic prophecy, then why do Caiaphas’ henchmen plot to end Jesus’ life? Is it merely to assure the “one man must die” part of Caiaphas’ prophecy? I’d sooner believe Caiaphas uttered a self-serving prophecy in order to eliminate the threat Jesus posed to the high priest’s position and power.

In any case I sense irony here, because when Jesus dies for the Jewish nation, for the scattered children of God, indeed, for all humankind, he brings us together as one. The oneness Jesus establishes just isn’t the kind of unity that kicks the Romans out of Jerusalem and gives the high priest even more power, recognition, and fortune.