Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)
The Higher Hand of God
Text: John 11: 51-52
THE HIGHER HAND OF GOD
When Caiaphas spoke to the members of the Council, his intent was to kill Jesus. But there was a higher hand at work. What Caiaphas said was prophetic, though that does not mean that he was a true prophet of God.
“Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.”
John 11:51-52
1. “Now this he did not say on his own authority”
a. He was not a true prophet and thus would not have the authority of a prophet.
b. True prophets of God were given special authority to make significant statements of truth (foretelling).
2. “But being high priest that year he prophesied”
a. God sometimes spoke to His people through the High Priest.
b. This would not be a regular daily experience.
c. The High Priest may give a prophetic word, as God so deemed it (as in this case).
3. “That Jesus would die for the nation”
a. The intent of the high priest and the council of chief priests was to plot the death of Jesus.
b. They had tried but had failed; they were determined to succeed this time round.
4. “And not for that nation only”
a. Jesus would indeed die.
b. But His death would fulfil a special purpose and goal of God.
i. He would indeed die for the nation.
ii. But His death would be a substitutionary meaning.
iii. He would die on behalf of all sinners that their sins might be forgiven.
5. “But also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad”
a. The death of Jesus had special effects.
b. Through His death many would come to faith in God.
c. He would gather all believers as one – the children of God.
d. Even the children of God who were not living in Israel.
Those who were scattered would be gathered together as one spiritual family in Christ.
经文:约翰福音 11:51-52
上帝更高的掌权
该亚法对公会的成员说话时,目的是要杀耶稣。不过,当时正有更高的掌权在工作。该亚法所说的是个预言,然而这并不代表他是上帝所差的真正先知。
“他这话不是出于自己,是因他本年做大祭司,所以预言耶稣将要替这一国死; 也不但替这一国死,并要将神四散的子民都聚集归一。”
《约翰福音 11:51-52》