Humble Hero

How the Holy Spirit Tried to Help Them

In this council, assembled to plan the death of Christ, the Witness who had heard the boastful words of Nebuchadnezzar and witnessed the idol-worshiping feast of Belshazzar was now impressing the rulers with the work they were doing. Events in the life of Christ rose up before their minds so distinctly that they were alarmed. They remembered when Jesus, as a child of twelve, stood before the educated doctors of the law, asking questions that amazed them. The miracle Jesus had just performed bore witness that He was none other than the Son of God. Perplexed and troubled, the rulers asked, “What shall we do?” There was a division in the council. HH 249.3

While the council was in its greatest perplexity, Caiaphas, the high priest, arose. Proud and cruel, arrogant and intolerant, he spoke with great authority and assurance: “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Even if Jesus were innocent, He must be put out of the way. He was lessening the authority of the rulers, and if the people were to lose confidence 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 compared 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.” HH 249.4

The policy Caiaphas recommended was based on a principle borrowed from heathenism. The dim consciousness that one was to die for the human race had led to human sacrifices. So by the sacrifice of Jesus, Caiaphas proposed to save the guilty nation, not from transgression, but in transgression, so that they could continue in sin. HH 249.5

At this council Christ’s enemies had come under deep conviction. The Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan reminded them of the grievances they had suffered because of Christ. How little He had honored their righteousness! Paying no regard to their forms and ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a merciful Father and tell Him their wants. He had refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical schools and hurt the priests’ influence beyond repair by exposing their evil practices. HH 249.6

Except for a few who did not dare to speak their minds, the Sanhedrin received the words of Caiaphas as the words of God. Relief came to the council; the discord ended. They resolved to put Christ to death at the first good opportunity. These priests and rulers had come entirely under Satan’s control, yet they were so deceived that they were well pleased with themselves. They thought of themselves as patriots seeking the nation’s salvation. HH 250.1

To prevent the people from becoming incensed and bringing on them the violence they were planning for Jesus, the council delayed carrying out the sentence they had pronounced. The Savior knew that they would soon accomplish what they intended, but it was not His role to hurry the crisis, and He left that region, taking the disciples with Him. HH 250.2

Jesus had now given three years of public labor to the world. Everyone knew His self-denial, selfless kindness, purity, and devotion. Yet this short period was as long as the world could endure the presence of its Redeemer. He who was always touched by human suffering, who healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the sorrowful, was driven away from the people He had worked so hard to save. He who broke the sleep of the dead and held thousands spellbound by His words of wisdom was unable to reach the hearts of those who were blinded by prejudice and hatred and who stubbornly rejected light. HH 250.3