Killing Jesus

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

So from that day on they planned to kill him. So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” (John 11:45-56)

A key part of this Gospel reading is that the chief priests and the Pharisees after convening the Sanhedrin asked: “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.”  There it is. It’s the primary reason why those few Jewish leaders, fearing the Roman overlords and oppressors, decided to kill Jesus who confronted and challenged Caesar in a non-violent way and those who obeyed the Roman ruler and his delegates. Losing their land and nation was too high a price to pay for the life of one man. 

Most of us don’t appreciate the degree to which Jesus threatened the “establishment.”  Many of the Jewish people came to believe he was the hoped-for Messiah who would rid the land of Roman oppressors.  They looked for Jesus the miracle-worker.  Eventually they were crest-fallen and disillusioned when he was put to death on a cross and scapegoated.

Gospel writers built upon his legacy and the hope he instilled in his followers.  It’s truly amazing that the Gospels on which we rely were written about 40 or more years after his crucifixion and resurrection.  Belief in his resurrection was the key for many. He was the Christ. He defied death. 

Jesus the Christ was the new Moses (the Law) and the new Elijah (the Prophets), both key figures in the Old Testament.  Remember who appeared with him at the transfiguration, according to Matthew 17:1-9. Moses and Elijah appeared and stood beside Jesus thereby symbolizing that Jesus was their successor and had fulfilled both. He was bringing a new covenant from God for all people.

For all of us Catholics just before Holy Week we are looking for Jesus and saying to one another as we assemble in Churches, “What do we think?”  Did he die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation, but for all of us as well?  Has he successfully gathered into one the dispersed children of God, meaning all Christian nations and peoples.  That is still an open question since many Christians are still steeped in anger and hate and are unaccepting of those outside their Christian fences and walls, especially other faiths and nationalities.

Too many of us “kill” Christ in our hearts and minds. We do not let him walk among us.  He is too demanding, and we are fearful. Holy Week is our time to soul-search and find Jesus once again - to believe in him.

Deacon David Pierce