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April 13, 2019Jesus had “cleansed” the temple by totally rejecting the corrupt political, economic, social, and religious systems centered around temple worship. Now the circumstance for his conniving enemies has arrived. Many Jews, having witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead, begin to follow Jesus. The chief priests and Pharisees clearly see him as a dangerous threat to their clandestine collaboration with the oppressive Roman occupiers. Jesus is becoming just too much of a menace. It is time to strike!
They convene the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of Israel, and at the urging of the high priest, Caiaphas, they decide Jesus has to die “lest the entire nation perish.” Here the evangelist, John, intervenes and explains that Caiaphas prophesies that Jesus has to die, not only for the nation but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
Jesus died to bring all the scattered people together into God’s Kingdom… not just some people, but all people together as brothers and sisters. As disciples of Jesus we are entrusted with that very same mission: to collaborate with Jesus in gathering all people into God’s Kingdom of love, justice, and peace. What a privilege! What a responsibility! Let’s get on with it!
