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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》

1.“他这话不是出于自己”

a. 他不是真正的先知，所以他不会拥有先知的权利

b. 上帝所差的真正先知会有特别权力预先说出意义重大的真理(预言)

2. “是因他本年做大祭司，所以预言”

a. 上帝有时候会通过大察司晓谕祂子民

b. 这不会是个日常经历

c. 若上帝觉得适当（如同这个例子），祂能够使大察司预言

3. “耶稣将要替这一国死”

a. 大察司和察司公会的目的就是要策划如何杀害耶稣

b. 他们尝试过但失败了；他们下定决心这一次一定得成功

4. “也不但替这一国死”

a. 耶稣的确会死

b. 不过祂的死亡会实现上帝特别的目的

i. 祂的确会替这一国死

ii. 不过祂的死亡会有个代替性的意义

iii. 他会代替所有的罪人死，以便他们的罪被赦免

5. “并要将神四散的子民都聚集归一”

a. 耶稣的死亡有特别的作用

b. 通过祂的死亡许多人会得到在上帝里的信心

c. 祂会把所有信者（上帝的儿女）聚集归一

d. 这包括居住在以色列国外的上帝的儿女

被四散的都会聚集为一，成为在基督里的属灵家庭。