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From Heaven With Love
in their rulers, the national power would be destroyed. After this
miracle, the followers of Jesus would likely rise in revolt. The
Romans would then come, he said, close our temple, and destroy us
as a nation. What is the life of this Galilean in comparison with the
nation? Is it not doing God a service to remove Him? Better that
one man perish than that the whole nation be destroyed.
The policy Caiaphas advocated was based on a principle bor-
rowed from heathenism. 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.
At this council Christ’s enemies had been deeply convicted. The
Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan urged upon their
notice the grievances they had suffered on account of Christ. How
little He had honored their righteousness. 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. He had
refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical schools, and,
by exposing the evil practices of the priests, had irreparably hurt
their influence.
With the exception of a few who dared not speak their minds,
the Sanhedrin received the words of Caiaphas as the words of God.
[362]
Relief came to the council; the discord ceased. They resolved to
put Christ to death at the first favorable opportunity. These priests
and rulers had come wholly under the sway of Satan, yet such was
their deception that they were well pleased with themselves. They
regarded themselves as patriots seeking the nation’s salvation.
Lest the people should become incensed and the violence medi-
tated toward Jesus should fall on themselves, the council delayed to
execute the sentence they had pronounced. The Saviour knew that
their purpose would soon be accomplished, but it was not His place
to hasten the crisis, and He withdrew from that region, taking the
disciples with Him.
Jesus had now given three years of public labor to the world.
His self-denial, disinterested benevolence, purity, and devotion were
known to all. Yet this short period was as long as the world could
endure the presence of its Redeemer. He who was ever touched by