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The Desire of Ages
abolish our laws, destroying us as a nation. What is the life of this
Galilean worth in comparison with the life of the nation? If He stands
in the way of Israel’s well-being, is it not doing God a service to re-
move Him? Better that one man perish than that the whole nation be
destroyed.
In declaring that one man should die for the nation, Caiaphas
indicated that he had some knowledge of the prophecies, although it
was very limited. But John, in his account of this scene, takes up the
prophecy, and shows its broad and deep significance. He says, “And
not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one
the children of God that were scattered abroad.” How blindly did the
haughty Caiaphas acknowledge the Saviour’s mission!
On the lips of Caiaphas this most precious truth was turned into
a lie. The policy he advocated was based on a principle borrowed
from heathenism. Among the heathen, the dim consciousness that
one was to die for the human race had led to the offering of human
sacrifices. So Caiaphas proposed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save the
guilty nation, not from transgression, but in transgression, that they
might continue in sin. And by his reasoning he thought to silence
the remonstrances of those who might dare to say that as yet nothing
worthy of death had been found in Jesus.
At this council Christ’s enemies had been deeply convicted. The
Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan strove to gain control
of them. He urged upon their notice the grievances they had suffered
on account of Christ. How little He had honored their righteousness.
He presented a righteousness far greater, which all who would be
children of God must possess. Taking no notice of their forms and
ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a
merciful Father, and make known their wants. Thus, in their opinion,
He had set aside the priesthood. He had refused to acknowledge the
theology of the rabbinical schools. He had exposed the evil practices
of the priests, and had irreparably hurt their influence. He had injured
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the effect of their maxims and traditions, declaring that though they
strictly enforced the ritual law, they made void the law of God. All
this Satan now brought to their minds.
Satan told them that in order to maintain their authority, they must
put Jesus to death. This counsel they followed. The fact that they might
lose the power they then exercised, was, they thought, sufficient reason